Hall of Fame Coach Don Nelson Dies at 86

Don Nelson, a former Boston Celtics forward who won five championship rings as a player and later became a Hall of Fame head coach, died on Sunday at an assisted-living facility in Frisco, Texas, at age 86. His granddaughter Christie Nelson Armstrong confirmed his death and said his health had declined after a stroke three weeks earlier.

Nelson's NBA career spanned nearly five decades. Undersized for a small forward, he was waived twice before joining the Celtics in 1965, eventually becoming a key reserve who contributed a game-winning basket in the 1969 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. As a coach, he led teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, ranking among the league's winningest coaches.

"Don Nelson was a true innovator on the court and a mentor to countless players," said a spokesperson for the NBA.

His contributions as both a player and coach left a lasting impact on the sport.