Hall of Famer Don Nelson, one of the most influential coaches and players in NBA history, has died at 86. Nelson’s family announced Sunday that he passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to Marc Stein.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the Nelson family said. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Nelson built a basketball career that spanned more than three decades as a player, coach and executive. He won five NBA championships as a player with the Boston Celtics and later became one of the league’s most accomplished coaches.
Nelson played 14 NBA seasons from 1962 through 1976, spending the majority of his career with Boston. He was part of five championship teams with the Celtics and became known for his versatility and outside shooting as the NBA evolved during the 1960s and 1970s.
His coaching career produced an even larger statistical legacy. Nelson finished with 1,335 regular-season victories, second on the NBA’s all-time list through the 2025-26 season, behind Gregg Popovich’s 1,390.
Nelson won NBA Coach of the Year three times, receiving the award in 1983, 1985 and 1992. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks during a career that included 31 seasons as an NBA head coach.
His coaching style helped introduce concepts that became increasingly prominent in modern basketball. Nelson was particularly associated with up-tempo offense and the use of versatile forwards as primary playmakers, including the development of the “point forward” concept.
Nelson also coached some of the most memorable teams in NBA history. His Golden State Warriors reached the 2007 playoffs as the eighth seed and eliminated the 67-win Dallas Mavericks in the first round, becoming the first eighth seed to defeat a 1-seed in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series.
The Nelson family also announced plans for a Celebration of Life on Thursday, Aug. 13, at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas. An ashes ceremony in Maui for family and friends will be announced at a later date.
Nelson’s legacy extends across multiple eras of the NBA, from his championship years alongside the Celtics’ dynasty to his innovations as a coach. His five championships as a player, three Coach of the Year awards and 1,335 coaching victories place him among the most accomplished figures in league history.
