Omri Casspi skips Golden State preseason opener for Yom Kippur

Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the National Basketball Association, missed his preseason opener with the Golden State Warriors because it took place on Yom Kippur.

The Warriors, with whom Casspi signed a one-year deal in July, played against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said Casspi had his “full support” to sit out the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

“Whatever each person needs to do, obviously we afford them that right,” Kerr said. “It’s an important holiday for people of the Jewish faith. Obviously, Omri has our full support, and we’ll see him tomorrow.”

Casspi will make his debut with the championship team next week, when the Warriors play two exhibition games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in China. The team left for China on Sunday morning.

Casspi also missed media day in 2009 with the Sacramento Kings, in his first year in the NBA due to Yom Kippur.

Dudi Sela, Israel’s top-ranked men’s singles tennis player, quit mid-game at the Wuhan Open in China on Friday due to the imminent start of Yom Kippur.

Sela, ranked 77 in the world, was down 1-0 in the third set of his quarter-final game with Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. They split the first two sets 6-3 and 6-4.

Sela had asked for the match to be brought forward due to the fast day, but his request was reportedly denied and there was not enough time to complete the game. He withdrew and was knocked out of the tournament.

Sela forfeited $34,000 in prize money and the chance to win 90 ranking points.