Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame coach and executive renowned for his innovative strategies and instrumental role in developing NBA stars like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, died Sunday at the age of 86. Nelson's family confirmed his passing in a statement, noting he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Nelson had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke a few weeks prior and was admitted to hospice care. His family stated that friends and family were with him in his final week.

Nelson's impact on the Dallas Mavericks and the league is widely recognized. He served as the Mavericks' head coach and general manager starting in the 1997-98 season. During his tenure, he is credited with drafting Nowitzki, who became an NBA icon, and acquiring Nash, who would go on to win two MVP awards.

Dirk Nowitzki expressed his deep gratitude to Nelson, who was his first NBA coach. "Nellie… You didn’t just draft me. You believed in me," Nowitzki wrote on social media. "You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them. I don’t think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me the freedom to play my game. I can only say THANK YOU. For everything."

Luka Doncic, who was acquired by the Mavericks in 2018 while Nelson was team president, also shared his respect for the late coach. "It’s a sad day for basketball with the passing of Don Nelson," Doncic posted. "I have so much respect for him and everything he did for the game, especially the way he believed in international players. I’m grateful for the time I spent with him."

Nelson's coaching career spanned 31 seasons across four NBA teams: the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Mavericks. He amassed 1,335 regular-season victories, a figure that stood as the NBA record until Gregg Popovich surpassed it in 2022. Nelson remains second on the all-time coaching wins list. He was named NBA Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Before his coaching success, Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA, winning five championships with the Boston Celtics.