NBA legend Don Nelson has passed away at the age of 86.

Don Nelson, the NBA's second-most-winning coach in history, passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 86. His family released a statement confirming the news but did not disclose the cause of death.

As a player, Nelson won five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. During his 31-year coaching career, he significantly reshaped the landscape of modern basketball.

Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors, among others. He not only set a record of 1,335 regular season wins (later surpassed by Popovich), but also won the NBA Coach of the Year award three times.

Nelson was a pioneer of tactical innovation, not only creating the concept of the "point forward" but also becoming famous throughout the league for his lightning-fast fast-break system. During his time coaching the Warriors, the "Run TMC" combination he built and the "Black Eight Miracle" he led the team to in 2007 have become classic legends in NBA history.

Beyond his reputation as a tactical mastermind, Nelson was also a mentor and talent scout for many superstars. He had the keen eye to bring Dirk Nowitzki into the NBA and strongly supported his playing style, he nurtured Steve Nash into a top point guard, and he paved the way for Stephen Curry's development during his rookie years at the end of his coaching career.

Following the announcement of Nelson's passing, numerous tributes were posted throughout the league. Nowitzki admitted that without Nelson's initial trust, he would never have achieved his later success; Curry praised him as one of the greatest tactical strategists in basketball history.

From champion player to tactical mastermind, Don Nelson wrote his own legendary chapter in his life, and his spiritual legacy will be forever engraved in the sport of basketball.

Image source: Internet/NBA official website