Luka Doncic Posts Touching Tribute for NBA Legend Don Nelson

Luka Dončić joined the basketball world in mourning the death of Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson, whose influence extended well beyond his record-setting accomplishments.

Nelson died Sunday at 86, his family announced. He reportedly suffered a stroke several weeks before his death and was surrounded by family after entering hospice care.

Dončić shared a heartfelt message on X, expressing his appreciation for Nelson and the former Dallas Mavericks coach’s impact on international players.

“It’s a sad day for basketball with the passing of Don Nelson,” Dončić wrote. “I have so much respect for him and everything he did for the game, especially the way he believed in international players. I’m grateful for the time I spent with him. Thinking of the entire Nelson family today. I loved getting to know you, Coach.”

Nelson coached the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005 and remained connected to the organization long after leaving the sideline. His son, Donnie Nelson, was also a longtime Mavericks executive and played a significant role in Dallas acquiring Dončić during the 2018 NBA Draft.

Although Nelson never coached Dončić, the two developed a relationship through their shared ties to the Mavericks. Nelson publicly supported the Slovenian star and criticized Dallas after it traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.

While accepting the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2025 NBA Finals, Nelson wore a pair of Dončić’s signature shoes and called the trade a “tremendous mistake.” He said the decision reflected his belief that teams should hold on to their franchise players.

That support clearly left an impression on Dončić, who has frequently spoken about the importance of the people who believed in him as a young international prospect.

Nelson retired with 1,335 regular-season coaching victories, which ranks second in NBA history behind Gregg Popovich. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Mavericks across 31 seasons.

A three-time NBA Coach of the Year, Nelson became known for unconventional lineups, fast-paced offenses and his willingness to use skilled players in roles that challenged traditional positional labels. His approach helped pave the way for many elements found in the modern NBA.

Nelson also helped turn the Mavericks into a consistent contender and was an early believer in Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas acquired the German forward in a draft-night trade in 1998, and Nelson gave him the freedom to develop into one of the greatest international players in league history.

Before becoming a coach, Nelson won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

For Dončić, however, Nelson’s legacy was also personal. His tribute reflected the appreciation of an international superstar for a coach who helped expand what NBA decision-makers believed was possible.