The North Texas and NBA communities are mourning the loss of former Dallas Mavericks coach and NBA player Don Nelson. Nelson leaves behind a legacy as the second-most winning coach in NBA history, who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, was a three-time Coach of the Year, and more. Nelson went on to inspire the next generation of basketball. At least half a dozen NBA legends attended. Mentioned by name were Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, SR., Sydney Moncrief, Paul Pressey, Rick Carlisle, a former Mavericks head coach and Celtics player, former Mavericks players Steve Nash and Michael Finley, and now-retired San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich attended the ceremony in North Dallas. Del Harris and Mike Dunleavy attended as well. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church hosted the celebration of life ceremony. Dirk could not attend, but his former teammate Steve Nash read a letter on his behalf, after a good joke about leaving for Phoenix. At the celebration of life, Nelson’s daughter Katie spoke about his time in Iowa and his faith. “Today to help us celebrate our beloved dad. We are overwhelmed by this outpouring of love from all of you, his friends and his fans- people who have come from all over the country. We’re grateful you are here to celebrate his big, beautiful life. My dad was truly one of a kind,” Katie said. “From hog farmer’s son to NBA Hall of Fame coach, now that’s a big deal. But from sinner to saved for eternity, now that is priceless. I love you, Papa. And I will see you again.” Carlisle chronicled Nelson’s time as a player in Boston, after two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics signed Nelson in 1965. They won championships in ’66, ’68, and ’69. Nelson’s number 19 jersey is retired in Boston. “He was characterized as an elite role player in the (Bill) Russell dynasty,” Carlisle said. “(Nelson) was decades ahead of everyone.” “Coaching against Nelly always elicited very high cortisol and stress levels,” Carlisle said. “Another thing I was in awe of: Nelly’s kindness to young coaches.” Carlisle credited Nelson with the influx of international talent, like Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, into the NBA. Nelson’s son, Donnie, later became general manager of the Mavericks; the duo is part of the front office that brought Nowitzki to Dallas. “These guys were becoming All-Stars, MVPs, and Hall-of-Famers,” Carlisle said. Carlisle also remarked upon the relationship between Don Nelson and his son Donnie. “Everybody in this room today knows how much you loved your dad. And we also know how proud he was of you. You inherited his genius. You inherited his creativity, his brains, and love for the game,” Carlisle said. “Nelly left all of us better than he found us, and he left the NBA game a hell of a lot better than he found it. Carlisle was gifted a cigar by Donnie from Don’s stash after his speech. Fort Worth’s own Leon Bridges performed River at the ceremony as well. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Celebration of life for Don Nelson in Dallas 08, 13, 2026. Nelson’s family did not announce where he died or provide a cause. He was 86. Nelson won at least 250 games with Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State, also serving as a general manager for all three franchises. He made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons, reaching the conference finals four times – once with the Mavericks. Nelson never won an NBA title. Nelson spent most of his playing career in Boston, before coaching the Bucks and Warriors for 11 seasons each. Nelson coached the Mavericks for eight seasons and was with the New York Knicks for less than one season. Nelson missed 21 games with the Mavericks starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery. Nelson retired as the NBA all-time coaching wins leader (1,335), before being passed by Popovich. Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Nelson also was not a fan of the Luka Doncic trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson attended high school in Illinois and college in Iowa. After leaving Dallas, he retired to Maui, Hawaii. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less