OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. (Diya TV) — Don Nelson, the legendary former NBA coach and Basketball Hall of Famer, was honored Sunday night with the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA). The award ceremony took place just an hour before Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Known for his trailblazing coaching style and vibrant personality, Nelson, 85, joins an elite group of recipients recognized for integrity, competitive excellence, and their impact on the NBA. The award, named after Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly, is determined by a committee of former coaches and executives.
“History has already reflected Don Nelson’s staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA game,” said NBCA President and Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle in a statement. “Back in the ’80s and ’90s, he made teams adjust to historic pace, liberal 3-point shooting, inverted offense, and disruptive defensive schemes. All this while establishing himself as one of the most compelling personalities in all of professional sports.”
Nelson began his coaching career in 1976 and retired in 2010 as the NBA’s all-time wins leader with 1,335 victories, narrowly edging out Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. He held that distinction until Gregg Popovich surpassed him in 2022. Nelson is one of only two coaches in NBA history to notch at least 250 wins with three different franchises — the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors.
He also had a brief stint coaching the New York Knicks. Across 31 seasons, Nelson’s teams made 18 playoff appearances. As a player, he won five NBA titles with the Boston Celtics.
Often credited with inventing the “point forward” position and pioneering small-ball tactics, Nelson’s most famous contributions came during two memorable stints with Golden State. First, he built the “Run TMC” era, featuring Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, which thrilled fans with fast-paced offense. Later, he returned to orchestrate the unforgettable “We Believe” playoff run in 2007, where the eighth-seeded Warriors upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks.
Nelson spent 11 seasons coaching the Warriors, compiling a 422–443 record and four playoff berths. He coached the Mavericks for eight seasons, winning the NBA Coach of the Year award in 1992 during his tenure there. He also earned that award twice with Milwaukee, in 1983 and 1985.
In a lighthearted yet symbolic moment, Nelson used his acceptance speech to voice a subtle protest over the Dallas Mavericks’ reported trade of star guard Luka Dončić. Nelson wore Dončić’s latest Jordan signature sneakers as a statement — a nod to his loyalty to the Mavericks franchise and their standout player.
“I’m deeply touched to receive an award that bears Chuck Daly’s name,” Nelson said. “Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life. I’m glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him, and benefit from his knowledge.”
Nelson and Daly, close friends during their coaching careers, faced each other 41 times. Nelson held a slight edge, winning 21 of those matchups.
With this honor, Nelson becomes the third member of the Warriors organization to receive the Chuck Daly Award, joining Al Attles and Rick Adelman. He adds this accolade to a long list of accomplishments that span nearly four decades of influence on professional basketball.
Past recipients of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award include NBA icons such as Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Lenny Wilkens, and Rudy Tomjanovich, underscoring the award’s prestige.
As the NBA Finals continue, Nelson’s recognition serves as a tribute to the game’s evolution, much of which traces directly back to his unconventional and visionary approach.
