It began with tears. But they were not engulfed in silence.
Chase Center erupted in ovation Wednesday night, the first game for the Warriors since the tragic death of assistant coach Dejan Milojević in Utah on January 17.
Golden State honored Milojević in myriad ways: jerseys with Milojević on the back underneath shirts reading BRATE (brother, in Serbian), a pregame video homage, a playing of the Serbian national anthem, a speech from Steve Kerr, and a 134-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Kerr, of course, is the perfect person to speak in those moments requiring poise and sincerity, balancing sadness and the need to inspire. He did so brilliantly.
"Rather than a moment of silence, I’d like you to join me in honoring Deki and his beautiful family, Natasha, Sasha, Nikola," Kerr said. "Rather than a moment of silence, I'd like for all of us to give Deki an ovation that he can hear up in heaven."
That was how Wednesday night began, with all three of Milojević's immediate family members in attendance. The arena was fraught with emotion. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green both failed to hold back tears, nor would anyone blame them, or anyone else feeling the weight of a horrible moment.
It had been nine days since the Warriors played a basketball game. As Kerr said to media for it started, "it's time." It was time for them to get back to the game that Milojević dedicated his life to.
The weight of it being "time," was evident. It is not a band-aid that can or should be ripped off. It is the weight of a human life lost suddenly, shockingly, and witnessed in traumatizing fashion by players and coaches at a team dinner.
The Warriors, it must be said, did their best amidst those circumstances. The pregame homage to Milojević was lengthy and sincere, and Kerr's ask of the crowd to cheer cut through the silence in a way that simultaneously encouraged an appreciation of life, and reminded everyone they were still here for an event.
Players did their part, most of all, Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors' young star, who had not-at-all-subtly expressed frustration with Kerr, and his role within the team, was the one bringing the widest grin to Kerr's face Wednesday night.
He, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green were locked in defensively. They showed that pride in one-on-ones that Green, nine days prior, had bluntly said was nowhere to be found.
The peak of that elation came from Kuminga in a three-play sequence which highlighted what he's capable of. He finished a domineering, driving layup on Jalen Johnson, then flexed on him. He immediately got back on defense, stole a cross-court pass from Patty Mills, then slammed home a ferocious dunk for his 20th point of the night.
Kuminga would finish with 25 points on an absurd 11-of-11 shooting, tying Chris Mullin's franchise record for most consecutive shots made without a miss. He also had 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, all off the bench.
His performance was the most notable, but it was not alone. Stephen Curry had 25 points and 8 assists. Klay Thompson had 24 points and 3 assists. Green had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block off the bench.
But more palpable than anything else was that the joy had returned to the Warriors' play. They moved the ball with pace and intelligence, played defense with passion, and were quick in transition. There is no antidote for tragedy, but the Warriors' performance was a temporary emotional salve.
It's easy to say that the game doesn't matter when tragedy strikes. But in this case, it did matter. It was monumental.
A wavering Warriors team got back to the game that Milojević lived for, and played with the sort of commitment and love of the game that did right by his memory. That is an incredibly challenging task that Golden State embraced with grace, courage, and sincerity. That must be appreciated.
