Warriors tributes trace Don Nelson's Golden State legacy

The team will wear a 'Nellie' band throughout 2026-27.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 301 min read

Statements from several members of the Warriors past and present on the passing of Don Nelson Via @anthonyVslater on X

What happened: The Hall of Fame coach died Aug. 9 at 86. Past and present members of the organization reflected on Don Nelson's influence across two Golden State tenures.

Why it matters: Nelson connected two defining Warriors eras, from Run TMC to the 2007 “We Believe” playoff run. That 2007 team became the first No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series.

By the numbers: Nelson coached Golden State for 11 seasons across two stints, from 1988-95 and 2006-10, and won 422 regular-season games with the franchise.

What to watch: Golden State's memorial band will debut when the upcoming season begins.

Sources

@anthonyVslater 2026-08-30T03:06:54.561074+00:00

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