Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion as a player and the second winningest head coach in league history, died Sunday at the age of 86, according to ESPN. Nelson’s family announced his passing in a statement, noting that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. A cause of death was not shared by the family.
Don Nelson, Innovative NBA Coach and Five-Time Champion, Dies at 86
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 statement read, as reported by USA Today. Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.
A Hall of Fame Playing Career and Championship Success
Before his legendary career on the sidelines, Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA as a 6-foot-6 forward out of Iowa. He was selected 19th overall by the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962 and played a season with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining the Boston Celtics in 1965.
During an 11-year stint in Boston under coach Red Auerbach, Nelson won five NBA titles in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and The New York Times. He served as a crucial sixth man alongside franchise legends such as Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, and K.C. Jones. Nelson finished his playing career averaging 10.3 points per contest, and the Celtics retired his No. 19 jersey in 1978.
Pioneering ‘Nellie Ball’ and Coaching Eras
Transitioning immediately into coaching, Nelson joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant in 1976 and took over as head coach 18 games into the season. Over 31 total seasons as an NBA head coach, Nelson managed the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks, compiling a regular-season record of 1,335-1,063.
Nelson became renowned for an unorthodox, fast-paced offensive philosophy known as “Nellie Ball,” which utilized smaller lineups, wider spacing, aggressive 3-point shooting, and constant mismatch-hunting across the floor at a time when most of the league favored traditional post-play. His strategic innovations shaped modern basketball. Among his notable coaching achievements, Nelson directed the Warriors’ high-scoring “RUN TMC” trio of Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond, unleashed a young Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, and coached Steve Nash for six seasons.
Historic Wins Record and Career Accolades
Nelson earned NBA Coach of the Year honors three times, winning the award in 1983, 1985, and Bleacher Report. On April 7, 2010, Nelson secured his 1,333rd victory, surpassing Lenny Wilkens to claim the all-time regular-season coaching wins record. He held the record until San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich surpassed him in March 2022.
Over his career, Nelson’s teams made 18 playoff appearances, yielding a 75-91 postseason record. He was named one of the NBA’s top 10 coaches of all time in 1996 and was added to the league’s top 15 coaches list in 2021. He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.
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