Don Nelson, NBA coach and player, dies at 87
Hall of Famer Don Nelson, three-time NBA Coach of the Year and five-time champion as a player, died on August 9, 2026 at age 87, his family announced.
Don Nelson, longtime NBA player-turned-coach and Hall of Famer, has died at the age of 87, his family said. The announcement came on Sunday, August 9, 2026; the family said he passed away peacefully surrounded by relatives.
"On Sunday morning our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully passed with the Lord, surrounded by his family. During the past week, family and friends surrounded him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and wonderful memories," the family said in a statement.
Legacy as a coach and player
Nelson left a major mark on the league both on the court and from the sidelines. For nearly 12 years he held the all-time record for coaching victories with 1.335, before Gregg Popovich surpassed him. He was named NBA Coach of the Year three times (1983, 1985 and 1992) and twice led his teams to the All-Star Game as head coach.
During his long coaching career Nelson led the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors, where he last served as head coach from 2006 to 2010. In 1994 he coached the United States national team that won gold at the World Championship in Toronto; the roster included stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Dominique Wilkins, Reggie Miller and Shawn Kemp.
Before turning to coaching, Nelson was an accomplished player. He spent time with the Chicago Zephyrs and the Los Angeles Lakers, and during 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics he won five NBA championships as a player.
He will be remembered for an innovative offensive mind and for a coaching career that influenced generations of players and coaches across the NBA.
Photo: Sean P. Anderson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
