Don Nelson, NBA's second-winningest coach and five-time Celtics champion, dies at 86

Don Nelson died August 9, 2026, at 86, his family announced. He won 1,335 games over 31 seasons — second only to Gregg Popovich — coaching Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State. A three-time Coach of the Year, he never won a title from the sideline. He won five rings as a Boston Celtics player under Red Auerbach.