Don Nelson, the Celtics icon whose impact stretched from Boston’s championship years to a Hall of Fame coaching career, has died at 86.
His family announced the news in a statement shared by NBA insider Marc Stein. “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. Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories,” the family said, per Stein’s account on X, formerly Twitter.
Nelson’s place in Celtics history is firmly secured. He played in Boston from 1965-1976, helped the franchise win five NBA titles, and had his No. 19 jersey retired by the team. That number now hangs in the TD Garden rafters.
Before becoming one of the NBA’s most accomplished coaches, Nelson made his name as a player at Iowa and was selected in the third round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zyphers. As a small forward, he became a key piece of Boston’s dynastic run in the 1960s and 70s.
His second act was just as impressive. Nelson went on to coach the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors, building one of the most decorated résumés in league history. For 12 years, he held the NBA all-time record for most wins by a head coach with 1,333, moving past Lenny Wilkens in 2010 before Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022.
Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
It is still unclear what kind of tribute the Celtics will put together for him.
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