On Sunday, August 9, 2026, Don Nelson’s family announced that the legendary coach had passed away at 86. Don Nelson is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. After winning five championships in Boston, Nelson retired in 1976, averaging 10.3 points, 1.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. While his playing days were over, Don Nelson was far from being done with the game of basketball. He joined the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching staff during the 1976-1977 season as an assistant under head coach Larry Costello.