For the first time since the tragic passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, the Golden State Warriors returned to the court for a game on Wednesday night in San Francisco. Prior to tipoff, the Warriors honored Milojevic with an emotional ceremony in front of his family and the Chase Center crowd.
As players from both the Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks, the entire Golden State team wore jerseys with Milojevic’s name striped across the back. The Warriors also left Milojevic’s usual seat open for the game. Along with playing a touching video, Steve Kerr spoke to the crowd at Chase Center. Instead of ending the ceremony with a moment of silence, Kerr called for a moment of celebration for Milojevic.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
Dejan Milojević
Our brother. pic.twitter.com/552rjEIBy4— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 25, 2024
Warriors players honored Dejan Milojević with jerseys bearing his surname during pregame.
The jerseys were then placed on Deki's usual seat on the bench. pic.twitter.com/jztsCexVjF
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 25, 2024
In honor of Dejan Milojević, the Serbian National Anthem was played before tonight’s @warriors game. pic.twitter.com/ZjVNAfrgKV
— Chase Center (@ChaseCenter) January 25, 2024
"(Deki) is a part of our soul." pic.twitter.com/u3Og4TwoV5
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 25, 2024
Forever our brother, Deki 💙 pic.twitter.com/Z7pU0hGeFz
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 25, 2024
After the ceremony, players draped their Milojevic jerseys over his seat on the bench before the game.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!