Don Nelson, the five-time NBA champion Celtics player and three-time Coach of the Year, has died at 86, his family announced Sunday. Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson, one of the most accomplished figures in NBA history as both a player and coach, has died at the age of 86, his family announced on Sunday. Nelson died peacefully in the morning surrounded by his family, according to a statement released by his loved ones. He won the NBA Coach of the Year award three times, with the honours coming in 1983, 1985 and 1992. He finished his coaching career with 1,335 regular-season victories, a mark that stood as the NBA record until Gregg Popovich surpassed it in 2022.