Warriors to wear tribute patch for late coach Don Nelson this season

The Warriors revealed a plan to wear a special shoulder patch that reads “NELLIE” on all uniforms during the 2026-27 campaign, honoring the late Don Nelson, who passed away on Aug. 9. Nelson’s two tenures with Golden State, from 1988-1995 and 2006-2010, produced 422 regular-season victories and led the team to the playoffs six times, including three trips to the Western Conference finals. Before joining the Warriors, he guided the Milwaukee Bucks to a 540-344 record between November 1976 and May 1987.

In 2010 he became the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, later moving to second place after Gregg Popovich surpassed him in 2022. Notable moments under his leadership include the 2007 upset of the top-seeded Mavericks and the recommendation to draft Steph Curry in 2009, which helped launch the franchise’s later dynasty.