Legendary basketball coach Don Nelson has passed away at the age of 86. His family confirmed that he died peacefully on Sunday morning while surrounded by his loved ones. Basketball fans around the world are mourning this big loss today.
Don Nelson had a huge career in the NBA as both a player and a head coach. As a player, he won five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. His jersey number 19 was retired by the team back in 1978.
After retiring as a player, he became a head coach for 31 seasons. He worked with teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors. During his coaching years, he won 1,335 regular-season games.
For many years, he held the record for the most wins by a coach in NBA history. Coach Gregg Popovich later broke that record in March 2022. Don Nelson was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his hard work.
Life in sports shows us that every story has its journey. Just like the song says, Life Is A Journey, It’s A Long Race, and Don Nelson lived a very long and successful life. He will always be remembered by basketball fans everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Don Nelson when he died?
Don Nelson was 86 years old when he passed away.
How many NBA titles did Don Nelson win as a player?
He won five NBA championships as a player with the Boston Celtics.
Which NBA teams did Don Nelson coach?
He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks.
