Former NBA coach and Boston Celtics star Don Nelson died at 86 on Sunday, per his family. The statement didn’t disclose a cause of death, but he had recently suffered a stroke and been placed in hospice care.
“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,” Nelson’s family said in the statement (h/t longtime NBA insider Marc Stein). “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Nelson coached four teams (Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors,
New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks) from 1976-2010, winning the second-most regular-season games (1,335) in league history. He also played for three teams — Chicago Zephyrs (now Washington Wizards), Los Angeles Lakers and Celtics — from 1962-76. His best years came with the Celtics, in which he won five championships and drilled one of the most memorable shots in NBA Finals history.
Remembering when Don Nelson sank a clutch shot in Game 7 of the 1969 Finals against the Lakers
L.A. hosted Boston in Game 7 of the Finals on May 5, 1969. Former Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke was so confident his super team, featuring Hall of Famers Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor, would win that he placed thousands of “World Champion Lakers” balloons in the rafters of The Forum; Nelson spoiled the celebration plans.