Don Nelson, one of basketball's most accomplished coaches, died Sunday at age 86, his family announced. Nelson peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones, according to a family statement relayed by Marc Stein.
Nelson ranks second all-time in wins among NBA coaches and is one of only three coaches to reach 1,300 victories. He won the NBA Coach of the Year award three times and is credited with developing the fast-paced style known as "Nellie Ball," which he popularized as Golden State Warriors coach. As a player, Nelson won five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.
One outlet noted that Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to amass at least 250 wins with three different franchises, underscoring the breadth of his success across multiple organizations. The NBA and basketball community have begun paying tribute to the Hall of Famer's legacy as both a player and coach.