Nelson was a five-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics however is finest remembered for his progressive teaching fashion.
Revealed On 10 Aug 2026
Corridor of Famer Don Nelson, the coach with the second-most wins in NBA historical past, died on Sunday. He was 86.
Nelson’s household introduced the passing of the five-time champion as a participant however didn’t disclose the way of dying.
Beneficial Tales
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“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving household,” the Nelson household assertion learn. “All through his final week, family and friends encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured reminiscences.”
Nelson was the all-time chief with 1,335 regular-season teaching victories when he retired in 2010, and was solely later surpassed by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (1,390). His quick fashion and use of smaller athletic gamers turned often called “Nellie Ball”.
The three-time Coach of the 12 months didn’t win any NBA titles throughout his 31-year general tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks (1976-87), Golden State Warriors (1988-95, 2006-10), New York Knicks (1995-96) and Dallas Mavericks (1997-2005). However he put collectively 13 seasons of fifty or extra wins, twice reaching 60 (as soon as with the Bucks and as soon as with the Mavericks).
“[Nelson] was a real basketball visionary who noticed the sport in a different way and was by no means afraid to problem standard pondering,” the Warriors mentioned in a press release. “His strategy helped form the sport and paved the best way for generations of gamers and coaches who adopted.
“Greater than something, Don Nelson can be remembered for his authenticity, larger-than-life character, and unimaginable ardour for basketball, and his affect on the Warriors franchise will endure for years to come back.”
‘Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball’
Throughout Nelson’s time with the Mavericks, the membership had its eye on Dirk Nowitzki, a prospect from Germany, because the 1998 NBA Draft approached. Throughout the draft, the Milwaukee Bucks tabbed Nowitzki with the ninth general choose and traded him to Dallas.
Nowitzki developed right into a big-time star throughout his seven seasons below Nelson. He later led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title, gained an MVP award and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2023.
“Nellie… You believed in me,” Nowitzki mentioned on social media. “You noticed issues in my recreation earlier than I ever realized I may do them. I’ve mentioned it 1,000,000 instances and I’ll at all times say it: I don’t assume my profession may have turned out the way it did with out you being my first coach and giving me the liberty to play my recreation. I can solely say THANK YOU. For every thing.”
Nelson was inducted into the Corridor of Fame as a coach in 2012.
As a participant, Nelson gained 5 NBA titles over 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics.
He initially reached the NBA with the Chicago Zephyrs (1962-63) after being the third general draft choose. He then spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier than becoming a member of a loaded Boston workforce and was one in all seven Boston gamers to common double digits in scoring in 1967-68. He averaged a career-best 15.4 factors and seven.3 rebounds in 1969-70.
In 134 profession playoff video games, Nelson averaged 11.1 factors and 4.8 rebounds. The Celtics retired his quantity 19 jersey in 1978.
“Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball by way of his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned in a press release. “He spent almost 50 years within the NBA – profitable 5 championships as a participant with the Boston Celtics earlier than constructing one of the vital profitable and pioneering teaching careers in league historical past. He introduced an unmistakable character to every thing he did, and his influence on our sport will proceed to be felt for generations.
“I ship my deepest condolences to Don’s household and lots of pals all through our league.”
In faculty, Nelson averaged 21.1 factors and 10.9 rebounds in 72 video games over three seasons at Iowa.
Nelson gained the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his general contributions to basketball.
