Don Nelson, Hall of Fame coach and Celtics champion, dies at 86

NBA legend Don Nelson, a five-time champion player and second all-time winningest coach, has died at 86. Learn about his impactful career. Read More: https://punchng.com/five-time-nba-champion-coaching-legend-don-nelson-dies-at-86/

Hall of Famer Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, died Sunday. He was 86. Nelson’s family announced the passing of the five-time champion as a player but didn’t divulge a manner of death. “On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded […]

Nelson was a five-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics but is best remembered for his innovative coaching style.

AP – 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. “On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully […]

Don Nelson, the second winningest coach in NBA history, a five-time NBA champion as a player and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died, it was announced Sunday. He was 86. In 31 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors (twice), New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, Nelson finished with a regular season record of 1,335-1,063.

Steve Kerr, the current Warriors coach, recalled Nelson as a visionary whose influence remains with the modern era of the league.

Hall of Famer Don Nelson, who won five NBA titles as ​a player and was a ​three-time Coach of the Year, has died at 86, his ​family said on Sunday.Nelson ranks second in NBA history with 1,335 regular-season coaching wins, behind Gregg Popovich, after a 31-year coaching career with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and ‌Dallas Mavericks.He ⁠was inducted ⁠into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012."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," ​his family said in a statement, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.As a player, Nelson won five championships with the Boston Celtics during an 11-year stint with ​the team and his number 19 jersey was retired ⁠by the ‌franchise in 1978. He played 14 seasons in the NBA."Don Nelson ​revolutionized NBA ​basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction," NBA Commissioner Adam ⁠Silver said. "He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, ​and his impact on our sport will continue to be ​felt for generations."I send my deepest condolences to Don's family and many friends throughout our league."Nelson never won an NBA title as a coach but twice led the Warriors to the playoffs and guided them to a memorable first-round upset of top-seeded Dallas in 2007.He also coached the Bucks to seven consecutive Central Division ‌titles and helped build the Mavericks into contenders during his eight seasons in Dallas.Nelson retired from coaching in 2010 after a second stint ​with Golden ​State.In June 2025, Nelson ⁠received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Basketball Coaches Association in recognition of his contributions to the game."'Nellie' was one of the most innovative and influential ​coaches in NBA history and an iconic figure in Warriors history," Golden State said in a statement."He was a true basketball visionary who saw the game differently and was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking. His approach helped shape the game and paved the way for generations of players and coaches who followed."

Nelson's family announced the passing of the five-time champion ⁠as a player but didn't divulge a manner of death.

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. “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 said. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.” READ: Lenny Wilkens, who coached most games in NBA history, […]...Keep on reading: Don Nelson, second-winningest NBA coach, dies at 86

Don Nelson was one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, died on Sunday, his family announced. He was 86. Nelson was a member of five NBA championship teams with Boston from 1966 to 1976 and the Celtics retired his jersey number 19. As a coach, Nelson finished with a record of 1,335-1,063 — what had been an NBA record until Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022 — in stints with Golden State, Milwaukee, New York and Dallas from 1976 to 2010. READ: Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at […]...Keep on reading: Don Nelson, NBA champion player and historic coach, dead at 86

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) -- Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, died on Sunday, his family announced. He was 86. Nelson was a member of five NBA championship teams with Boston from 1966 to 1976 and the Celtics retired his jersey number 19. As a coach, Nelson finished with a record of 1,335-1,063 -- what had been an NBA record until Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022 -- in stints with Golden State, Milwaukee, New York and Dallas from 1976 to 2010. "Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA -– winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history. "He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations." Nelson, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, never reached the NBA Finals as a coach but was remembered as a historic figure among bench bosses. "The Golden State Warriors mourn the passing of Hall of Fame head coach Don Nelson," the team said in a statement. "'Nellie' was one of the most innovative and influential coaches in NBA history and an iconic figure in Warriors history... "More than anything, Don Nelson will be remembered for his authenticity, larger-than-life personality, and incredible passion for basketball and his influence on the Warriors franchise will endure for years to come." Steve Kerr, the current Warriors coach, recalled Nelson as a visionary whose influence remains with the modern era of the league. "Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today," Kerr said. "He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play, and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. "So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game."

The second-winningest coach in NBA history, who was part of five championship teams with the Celtics, died at 86.

Don Nelson, a legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach for four NBA teams and a Celtics great, died at 86 on Sunday.

Basketball Hall of Famer part of 5 Celtics championships as player, finished with 1,335-1,063 coaching record

His family announced the passing of the five-time champion as a player on Sunday

One of the winningest coaches in league history, he led the Bucks, the Warriors and the Mavericks. He also had a brief stint with the Knicks.

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…

Don Nelson was one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State.

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, has died at the age of 86.

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, died on Sunday, his family announced."He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA -– winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history.

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.

The legendary coach and former player, credited for introducing the “Nellie ball”, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2012 for – at the time – holding the most wins as a head coach in NBA history.

Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises.

Nelson had second-most coaching wins in NBA historyWon five titles with Boston Celtics in 1960s and 70sHelped develop stars Steph Curry and Dirk NowitzkiDon Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died on Sunday. He was 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,” a statement from his family read. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the ⁠blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.” Continue reading...

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. Nelson’s death was announced by the Golden State Warriors, one of the teams he coached. 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 franchises.

For many years, Nelson was the winningest coach in NBA history.

Don Nelson left an indelible mark on the NBA as both a player and coach. Here are some of the tributes that are flowing in remembrance.

Don Nelson, who coached 31 NBA seasons in a style so far ahead of the league that everybody eventually copied it, died Sunday.

The inventor of Nellie Ball is the second-winningest regular-season coach in NBA history

Calling Nelson a Dallas Mavericks legend only captures a sliver of the impact he made on the game of basketball.

Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson has died at 86, his family said in a statement. His legacy will be remembered as a head coach and a player.

The Hall of Fame NBA head coach, who won five NBA championships as a player with the Celtics and spent less than a year leading the Knicks, died Sunday.

Don Nelson, the Hall of Fame NBA head coach who won five NBA championships as a player with the Celtics, died Sunday.

Nelson ranks second all-time in wins among NBA coaches and is one of three coaches to win 1,300 games.

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday at 86 years old.

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday at 86 years old.