- Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.
- Nelson retired as the NBA's career coaching wins leader with 1,335 wins, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens's 1,332.
- He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
- In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association.
- Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons in Boston and was on five Celtics championship teams under four different coaches.
- He became head coach of the Bucks in 1976 and won seven straight division titles.
- Nelson coached the Warriors in two stints, including the 'We Believe' era, where his team upset the top-seeded Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs.
Don Nelson, who passed away at 86, was a transformative figure in basketball, known for his innovative coaching and offensive strategies.1
He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons, coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors.
Nelson introduced the point forward concept, shifting the game from a focus on big men to a fast-paced offense, a style he credited to his mentor, Red Auerbach.
His coaching career spanned over 31 seasons, during which he won seven division titles with the Bucks and was instrumental in the 'Run TMC' era with the Warriors, featuring stars like Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin.
Nelson's legacy includes developing Steve Nash into a top point guard and persuading Dirk Nowitzki to join the Mavericks.
He was honored with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025, solidifying his impact on the sport.
“Nelson retired with 1,335 career wins, holding the NBA record for nearly 12 years before Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022. He also pioneered the point forward and 'Nellie Ball' style, crediting Red Auerbach for teaching him the fast break.”
