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Death of NBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson

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2026-08-12 00:05 UTC → 2026-08-12 20:50 UTC · added ~~removed~~

NBA Hall of Fame coach and player Don Nelson has died at the age of 86. His family reported that he passed away peacefully on a Sunday morning while surrounded by loved ones. Nelson’s career was marked by significant achievements both as a player and a coach. He won five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics between 1966 and 1976, resulting in the retirement of his No. 19 jersey. As a coach, he earned three NBA Coach of the Year awards and accumulated 1,335 regular-season victories over a 31-season career, a figure that was once the all-time record until being surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022. His coaching tenures included stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. He is recognized as a tactical pioneer for his ‘Nellie Ball’ philosophy, which emphasized speed, floor spacing, and three-point shooting through the use of small, fast lineups. His innovations included the use of the ‘point forward’ and playing undersized backcourts, which helped shape the modern era of professional basketball. Nelson is also credited with helping shape franchises by acquiring key players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Stephen Curry. Following his passing, Luka Doncic expressed respect for Nelson, noting his impact on the sport and his support for international players. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

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