NBA legend Don Nelson dies at 86; Doncic pays tribute

The NBA community has lost a significant figure following the death of Don Nelson, a former player, coach and executive who passed away at the age of 86. Announced on Sunday morning, Nelson is widely recognised as one of the game’s major innovators, having shaped modern basketball tactics through his coaching tenure with the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors.

During his time with the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005, and earlier with the Warriors in the early 1990s, Nelson implemented a fast-paced style of play that favoured small lineups and perimeter shooting. This approach is now considered a precursor to contemporary basketball strategies. Nelson’s son, Donnie, served as the Mavericks’ general manager in 2018 when the team acquired the rights to Luka Doncic via a draft-day trade.

Luka Doncic, now a superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers, took to the social media platform X to express his condolences. In a post dated Sunday, 9 August 2026, Doncic stated it was a sad day for basketball and highlighted his respect for Nelson’s belief in international players. He added that he was grateful for the time he spent with Nelson and offered thoughts to the Nelson family.

The relationship between Nelson and Doncic has been complex in recent years. In February 2025, Nelson publicly criticised the trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers, calling it a “tremendous mistake.” He made this sentiment clear during a press conference for the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, where he wore a pair of Doncic’s Nike sneakers.

Nelson’s playing career also featured significant achievements, including stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. He won five NBA championships with Boston, with the first three coming against the Lakers. Notably, in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, Nelson hit a late shot that helped secure Boston’s victory in a series that gave them their 11th title in 13 years.