Celtics pen heartfelt message after Don Nelson’s death

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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

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The Boston Celtics offered their deep condolences following the announcement that Don Nelson had died at the age of 86. Nelson’s family announced his passing.

Nelson is best known as a Hall of Fame coach, but he had a 14-year playing career in the NBA that included 11 years with the Boston Celtics.

Don Nelson’s success as a Hall of Fame Coach is so vast, that it could overshadow his playing career, but it would be a mistake to do so. A favorite of Red Auerbach’s, “Nellie” was a tough and reliable all-around player whose tenacity and ability to “think the game” was on full… pic.twitter.com/cWJOIxso3c

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— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 9, 2026

Nelson played a key role in helping the Celtics win five NBA championships. The team retired his uniform for his contributions to multiple titles.

He hit the game-clinching shot in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Unlike the other confrontations the Celtics had with the Lakers for the NBA title in the 1960s, this decisive seventh game took place in Los Angeles.

Nelson hit a 15-foot jumper that hit the back rim, bounded straight up and fell through the rim. The shot came with just over a minute remaining and turned a one-point lead into a three-point advantage. The Celtics would hold on for a 108-106 victory.

The shot made Nelson one of the Celtics’ legendary heroes throughout the team’s celebrated history.

Nelson impacted the NBA for more than 40 years​

The Celtics posted their memory of Nelson’s memorable contribution on X.

“Don Nelson’s success as a Hall of Fame Coach is so vast, that it could overshadow his playing career, but it would be a mistake to do so,” the Celtics acknowledged.” A favorite of Red Auerbach’s, ‘Nellie” was a tough and reliable all-around player whose tenacity and ability to “think the game” was on full display throughout his 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he was a key member of five championship teams across two eras.”

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As a head coach, he led four teams for a total of 30 seasons. He coached the Bucks for 11 seasons, the Warriors for 11 seasons, the Knicks for 1 season and the Mavericks for 8 seasons. He had a career regular-season record of 1,335-1,063 and a 75-91 record in the postseason.



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