Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player, has died at age 86.

Don Nelson, a legendary NBA figure who won five championships as a player and later became the league's second-winningest head coach, died on Sunday at age 86. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Nelson, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, spent 31 seasons as a head coach and was recognized as a three-time NBA Coach of the Year.

Coaching Career and Innovations

Nelson amassed 1,335 regular-season coaching wins during his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. He was one of only two coaches in league history to record at least 250 wins with three different franchises, serving as general manager for those same teams. He is credited with pioneering the 'point forward' position, which shifted playmaking duties to forwards, and he favored an up-tempo offensive style focused on speed. During his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, he led the team to seven consecutive division titles. His time with the Golden State Warriors included the 2007 'We Believe' team, which pulled off a notable first-round playoff upset against the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks. In his final season as a coach, he mentored rookie Stephen Curry.

Legacy and Playing Career

Before his coaching career, Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA, 11 of which were with the Boston Celtics. He won five championships with the Celtics, and the franchise retired his number 19 jersey in 1978. In June 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Basketball Coaches Association. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Nelson as a visionary who revolutionized the sport through his ingenuity and willingness to challenge conventional thinking. The Golden State Warriors, where Nelson served two coaching stints, noted that his impact on the game will continue to be felt for generations.