Don Nelson: A Legend in NBA Coaching and Playing

On August 9, 2026, Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, passed away at 86 in San Francisco. His death was announced by the Golden State Warriors, one of the teams he coached. Nelson’s remarkable career included five championship wins as a player with the Boston Celtics.

Nelson stands out in NBA history for achieving at least 250 wins with three different franchises: Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State. He served as general manager for these teams as well. Over his 31-season career, he was named coach of the year three times and led teams to the playoffs 18 times. Despite his successes, he never won a title as a coach, reaching the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks.

He introduced the point forward concept and was known for an up-tempo style of play, shifting focus from dominant big men to speed and fast breaks. This playing style was influenced by his time under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.

Don Nelson played 11 out of 14 seasons with the Boston Celtics, contributing to five championship teams under four different coaches. His coaching career began in Milwaukee after retiring as a player, taking over after Coach Larry Costello resigned during the 1976-77 season. Nelson guided the Bucks to seven consecutive division titles in 11 seasons.

His high-paced offense reached its peak during Golden State’s “Run TMC” era, showcasing stars like Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. Nelson aimed for their simultaneous presence on the court.

During his 11 seasons with Golden State, he encountered challenges, including a conflict with rookie Chris Webber, leading to Webber’s trade and Nelson’s resignation under pressure in 1995. After a short stint in New York, Nelson coached Dallas for eight seasons, overcoming prostate cancer surgery in 2000.

Nelson’s son, Donnie, joined as an assistant coach in Dallas in 1998 and later became general manager. Together, they convinced Dirk Nowitzki to join the Mavericks and developed Steve Nash into an elite point guard. Nash won back-to-back MVP titles with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.

In the 2007 playoffs, Nelson’s “We Believe” Warriors surprised by defeating Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks. Nelson mentored rookie Stephen Curry in his final coaching season, 2009-10.

Retiring with 1,335 career coaching wins, Nelson held the record until Gregg Popovich surpassed him in March 2022. His legacy as a coach and player remains influential in the NBA.