A Hall of Fame career
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's family confirmed the death in a statement that did not say where he died or provide a cause. The statement said he passed peacefully surrounded by family.[S1][S2]
Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He reached the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.[S1][S3]
Innovator of the game
Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach. Nelson wrote in 2016 that without Auerbach teaching him the mechanics of the fast break, none of it would have been possible.[S1][S3]
His fast-paced offenses were best on display with Golden State in the 'Run TMC' era featuring Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson spent 11 seasons over two stints with Golden State. The first was punctuated by a rift with rookie star Chris Webber, who was traded away a month into his second season. Nelson, demoralized, missed nine games due to illness and resigned in February 1995.[S1][S3]
Coaching milestones
Nelson coached the Bucks for 11 seasons starting in 1976, winning seven straight division titles. In his second season, Milwaukee overcame a 29-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Atlanta 117-115 in regulation. He was fired after less than one season in New York in 1995-96, then coached Dallas for eight seasons, missing 21 games starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery.[S1][S3]
Nelson's son, Donnie, joined him as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 1998, later becoming general manager. Together they persuaded Dirk Nowitzki to join the Mavericks. Nelson also developed Steve Nash into a top point guard. At Golden State, his 'We Believe' Warriors upset the top-seeded Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs. In his final season, he mentored rookie Stephen Curry in 2009-10.[S1][S3]
Legacy and tributes
Nelson retired as the NBA's career coaching wins leader with 1,335, ahead of Lenny Wilkens' 1,332. He kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022. Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award.[S1][S4]
Current Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Nelson was a true innovator whose influence is still felt today. Stephen Curry said Nelson challenged him and gave him an opportunity to be his best self. Baron Davis recalled the 'We Believe' run in 2007. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction.[S1][S4]
