The Dallas Mavericks have lost 1 of the most recognizable figures in franchise history after news broke on Sunday that former head coach Don Nelson has died at 86.
From ESPN’s official X account: “Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, a five-time NBA champion as a player and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died, it was announced Sunday. He was 86.”
Nelson, a 5-time NBA champion as a player for the Boston Celtics, coached the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005. He became the winningest head coach in NBA history in 2010 — a record that stood until former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich broke it in 2022.
In 8 seasons with the Mavericks, Nelson had a record of 339-251 and made the playoffs 4 times, including an appearance in the 2003 Western Conference Finals.
Nelson finished his head coaching career with a record of 1,335-1,063 and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Nelson was also the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks.
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