NBA: Finals-Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; (from left) Executive Director David S. Fogel and former general manager Don Nelson and Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speak to the media before game two between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Don Nelson, the three-time NBA coach of the year who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died. He was 86.
“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,” the Nelson family said in a statement relayed by Marc Stein on Twitter/X. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Hall of Famer Don Nelson, three-time NBA Coach of the Year and five times a champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died at age 86.
The family has issued this statement:
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson… pic.twitter.com/MkDMNugYcu
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 9, 2026
According to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Nelson is the only man in NBA history with more than 1,000 wins as a coach who also won multiple championships as a player, all with the Boston Celtics (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976). Phil Jackson, who won 11 titles and 1,155 games as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, claimed two championships as a player. But an injury kept him out of action during the New York Knicks’ 1969-70 title campaign.
An incredible NBA career as player, coach
The Chicago Zephyrs drafted Nelson, a Michigan native, in the third round of the 1962 NBA Draft out of Iowa. The Los Angeles Lakers claimed him off waivers in September 1963. He spent the next two seasons as a reserve with the Jerry West- and Elgin Baylor-led Lakers.
The Celtics signed Nelson in October 1965. He became a reliable shooter, rebounder and playmaker for some of the NBA’s best teams over the next 11 seasons.
Nelson rose to even greater individual fame as a coach.
Nelson got his start as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976-77, then became the Bucks’ head coach as a midseason replacement for Larry Costello. From 1977-87, the Bucks had a losing record in only one regular season under Nelson.
Nelson coached the Golden State Warriors (1988-95, 2006-10), New York Knicks (1995-96) and Dallas Mavericks (1997-05), compiling a career record of 1,335-1,063. Only Gregg Popovich has more wins as a coach in NBA history.
Nelson’s greatest success on the sideline came with the Mavericks in 2002-03. The Mavs went 60-22 before ultimately losing in the Western Conference Finals to Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs.
Nelson was named the NBA coach of the year in 1983, 1985 and 1992. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.