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\n Related: <\/span>Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Dejan Milojevic Dead at 46<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tAndreas Rentz\/Bongarts\/Getty Images Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi\u0107 has died at the age of 46, one day after experiencing a medical emergency. \u201cWe are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojevi\u0107\u2019s sudden passing,\u201d the Golden State Warriors wrote in a statement shared via X on Wednesday, January 17. \u201cThis is a shocking and tragic blow [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Celtics retired the former coach\u2019s No. 19 jersey in 1978. (Nelson spent 14 total seasons in the NBA as a player.)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Celtics extend our deepest condolences to Nelson\u2019s family, loved ones, and everyone he touches through his rich and impactful life in basketball beyond,\u201d the Celtics organization said in a statement in the wake of Nelson\u2019s death, per ESPN.<\/p>\n\n![\"GettyImages-1455960825donnelsondeath.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1455960825donnelsondeath.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Don Nelson<\/span> Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDuring his time as a NBA coach Nelson made 18 playoff appearances, finishing with an overall postseason record of 75-91. He retired as the winningest coach in NBA history in 2010 \u2014 a record eventually broken by San Antonio Spurs\u2019 head coach Gregg Popovich<\/strong> in March 2022.<\/p>\n\u201cDon Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today,\u201d Warriors head coach Steve Kerr<\/strong> <\/a>said in a Sunday statement. \u201cHe consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game.\u201d<\/p>\nPart of the late coach\u2019s unique approach to professional basketball was his ability to utilize players considered to be conventionally small for the league, creating a more fast-paced offense that allowed for strategic mismatches on the court. His style was later dubbed \u201cNellie Ball\u201d \u2014 a philosophy that has since spanned not only the NBA but collegiate and high school basketball programs the world over.<\/p>\n
\u201cNellie was ahead of his time and there was nobody else like him,\u201d Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway<\/strong> said in a statement, per ESPN. \u201cHe had an incredible impact on my career and on the game of basketball. I\u2019m going to miss him, and my thoughts and prayers with Joy, Donnie and the entire Nelson family.\u201d<\/p>\nSeveral players also paid their respects to the legendary coach in the wake of his death, including stars Dirk Nowitzki<\/strong> and Stephen Curry<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-narrow.jpg\")
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<\/div>\n Don Nelson<\/span> Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
During his time as a NBA coach Nelson made 18 playoff appearances, finishing with an overall postseason record of 75-91. He retired as the winningest coach in NBA history in 2010 \u2014 a record eventually broken by San Antonio Spurs\u2019 head coach Gregg Popovich<\/strong> in March 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cDon Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today,\u201d Warriors head coach Steve Kerr<\/strong> <\/a>said in a Sunday statement. \u201cHe consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Part of the late coach\u2019s unique approach to professional basketball was his ability to utilize players considered to be conventionally small for the league, creating a more fast-paced offense that allowed for strategic mismatches on the court. His style was later dubbed \u201cNellie Ball\u201d \u2014 a philosophy that has since spanned not only the NBA but collegiate and high school basketball programs the world over.<\/p>\n \u201cNellie was ahead of his time and there was nobody else like him,\u201d Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway<\/strong> said in a statement, per ESPN. \u201cHe had an incredible impact on my career and on the game of basketball. I\u2019m going to miss him, and my thoughts and prayers with Joy, Donnie and the entire Nelson family.\u201d<\/p>\n Several players also paid their respects to the legendary coach in the wake of his death, including stars Dirk Nowitzki<\/strong> and Stephen Curry<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
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