On Sunday, August 9, 2026, Don Nelson’s family announced that the legendary coach had passed away at 86.
- Player Highlights: Won five National Basketball Association (NBA) championships; Number retired by the Boston Celtics
- Coach Highlights: 18 playoff appearances, 1,335 wins, and three NBA Coach of the Year honors
“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 Nelson’s family reads, according to ESPN. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Don Nelson is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. As a player, he spent 14 years in the NBA playing for the Chicago Zephyrs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics. After winning five championships in Boston, Nelson retired in 1976, averaging 10.3 points, 1.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game.
While his playing days were over, Don Nelson was far from being done with the game of basketball. He joined the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching staff during the 1976-1977 season as an assistant under head coach Larry Costello. Not long into the season, Costello resigned, and Nelson was promoted to head coach. He would go on to spend 31 seasons as a head coach in the NBA between 1976 and 2010, spending time with the Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors. Coaching the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Baron Davis, Steve Nash, and Patrick Ewing over three decades, he retired with a then-NBA record 1,335 wins and 18 playoff appearances.
