Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame NBA coach and five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.
Nelson's family announced his passing in a statement, noting he died peacefully and was surrounded by loved ones. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Known for his innovative coaching strategies, Nelson accumulated 1,335 career coaching victories, which ranks second all-time in NBA history, behind only Gregg Popovich. He previously held the record before being surpassed.
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Nelson's coaching career included multiple stints with the Milwaukee Bucks (1976-1988), the Golden State Warriors (1995-2009), and a brief period with the New York Knicks during the 1995-96 season. He also coached the Dallas Mavericks for eight years. His final coaching role concluded in 2009-10, which coincided with Steph Curry's rookie season.
As a player, Nelson was an integral part of the Celtics dynasty, winning five NBA championships during the 1960s.