Three-time Serbian Player of the Year and current Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanović had a strong performance off the bench during Wednesday night's win over the Orlando Magic. Bogdanovic played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points.
But Bogdanović played with a heavy heart, saying his mind was on his friend, Golden State Warriors assistant coach and fellow Serbian Dejan Milojević, who died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 46.
Hawks star Dejounte Murray scored a basket at the buzzer to lead the Hawks to a thrilling 106-104 victory, but Bogdanović has virtually no memory of the game.
“I don't even know what I did tonight,” Bogdanović said. “I remember warm-ups. I don't know what I was doing. I forgot a couple of my routines.”
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Bogdan Bogdanović, right, hugs Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks at the conclusion of the Atlanta Hawks' 106-104 victory over the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on Jan. 17, 2024 in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Bogdanović stood somberly alongside his teammates as a moment of silence was observed before the game.
Bogdanović recalled feeling like he was just going through the motions at times during the game. He had a hard time understanding that Milojević was gone.
“Like everyone in Serbia, we couldn't believe the news,” he said. “Because that guy was a beast. Always positive.”
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Bogdanović, 31, never had the opportunity to play with Milojević after he began his coaching career, but they faced each other on numerous occasions as players. Their shared homeland gave them a natural bond.
Bogdanović especially admired the way Milojević walked off the court.
“It's very sad to see the impact he had on many players and people around the world,” Bogdanović said. “One thing I'll never forget is that he never followed his career.”
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević before a game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center in San Francisco on March 8, 2022. (Darren Yamashita/USA Today Sports)
Milojević won three consecutive MVP awards in the Adriatic League.
“He was a great player, but he never pursued his career,” Bogdanović said. “He always wanted to live a family lifestyle with his children in good cities. He never chased money. I feel like he is a great example for everyone.
“He believed that if you don't like your life, there's no way you can perform at your job, you can't maximize your job,” the Hawks guard added. “You can't maximize your potential if you're not happy in your life because sometimes people value their work and some other things more.”
Bogdan Bogdanović (13) of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on January 17, 2024 in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Milojević was in his third season on the Warriors coaching staff. He previously coached in Serbia, where he worked with Nikola Jokić before the two-time NBA MVP came to the United States, as well as Montenegro.
Bogdanović briefly considered sitting out Atlanta's game against the Magic to deal with his grief. But he decided to play after realizing that taking the field would be the most fitting tribute to the man he so admired.
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“I was thinking about not showing up tonight because I couldn't sleep and I was out of my routine,” Bogdanović said. “But then I thought, 'He wouldn't want me to do that.'”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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