NBA champion player and historic coach Nelson dead at 86

Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion as a player with the Boston Celtics from 1966 to 1976, and the second-winningest coach in NBA history, passed away at the age of 86 on Sunday, according to his family. Nelson, who finished his coaching career with a record of 1,335-1,063, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Although he never led a team to the NBA Finals as a coach, he is remembered as a historic figure among bench bosses. The Golden State Warriors mourn the loss of Hall of Fame head coach Don Nelson, who was praised for his innovative and influential coaching style. Nelson's approach to the game helped shape the modern NBA, as noted by current Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who emphasized his role in challenging conventional thinking and experimenting with different lineups and styles of play.