Raptors Ran Play to Honor the Late Warriors Coach Dejan Milojević, And It Worked Perfectly

Toronto coach Darko Rajaković saluted his countryman and friend.

The NBA world was shocked Wednesday by the sudden death of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a fixture of basketball in his native Serbia and around the world for the last 30 years.

Particularly shaken was Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajaković, a friend and countryman of Milojević's; their birthplaces are just under two hours apart by car. After the Raptors' 121–97 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Rajaković revealed that Toronto had run its first play of the game in honor of Milojević.

"I told my guys I loved them," Rajaković said. "Our opening play in the game was an ATO that—Decky (Milojević's nickname), my friend, I learned that play from him. That's what he brought to the NBA. That's what he brought to Golden State. I stole that play from him, and that was our opening play tonight and we were able to score on it once."

Coach on his pre-game words and the first play 🖤 pic.twitter.com/wL9QQeCdDh

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 18, 2024

Rajaković closed his answer by dedicating his win to Milojević, whose play resulted in guard Gary Trent Jr. swishing a three-pointer to open the scoring. 

In response to Milojević's death, the NBA has postponed a pair of Warriors games against the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks.