NBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson, second-winningest coach and 5-time Celtics champion, dies at 86

Don Nelson, a legendary figure in NBA history as both a Hall of Fame coach and a five-time champion player, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 86. His family confirmed his peaceful passing, stating he was surrounded by loved ones, though no cause of death was provided.

Nelson was renowned for his innovative coaching style, often referred to as "Nellie Ball," which prioritized fast-paced offense, spacing, and popularized the "point forward" position. He coached four NBA franchises throughout his career, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. Nelson held the record for most coaching wins in NBA history with 1,335 victories for nearly 12 years until Gregg Popovich surpassed him in 2022. He was honored as the NBA Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Before his influential coaching career, Nelson enjoyed a successful playing career, spending 11 of his 14 seasons with the Boston Celtics. As a key contributor to the Celtics dynasty, he secured five NBA championships in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976. In recognition of his contributions as a player, the Celtics retired his number 19 jersey in 1978.