Don Nelson Receives 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame basketball coach and player, has been honored with the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Basketball Coaches Association, recognizing his innovative and transformative contributions to the NBA. Nelson, who retired as the NBA's all-time wins leader with 1,335 coaching victories across 31 seasons, is renowned for pioneering fast-paced, three-point shooting offenses and defensive schemes that reshaped the game, often referred to as "Nellie Ball." He achieved at least 250 wins with three different franchises—Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State—and led teams to the playoffs 18 times, also winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics. The award was presented before Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, with Rick Carlisle, NBCA president and Pacers coach, praising Nelson as a visionary and compelling personality in professional sports. Nelson expressed deep respect for Chuck Daly, whom the award honors, and reflected on their coaching rivalry and friendship, emphasizing Daly's profound impact on his coaching philosophy. The selection committee included NBA coaching legends like Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich, underscoring the significance of Nelson’s achievement and legacy in basketball history.