Legendary NBA coach Rick Adelman passes away at 79 in 2026

Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, who won over 1,000 games, died at age 79.

Coaching legacy honored Basketball coaching icon Rick Adelman, who guided teams to more than 1,000 victories during his nearly three-decade NBA career, has died at the age of 79. In 2021, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and two years later received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. His coaching journey spanned five franchises, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Over his regular-season tenure, he compiled a record of 1,042 wins against 749 losses, placing him tenth all-time in career victories. ## Iconic stops in Portland and Sacramento Adelman’s coaching prowess shone brightest during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings. In Portland, he steered the team to two NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992. His impact in Sacramento was equally transformative, where he oversaw the franchise’s most successful seasons in its history. The Kings organization expressed deep sorrow over his passing in a Monday statement, highlighting his leadership, integrity, and strategic vision as defining elements of an era that energized the city and captivated basketball fans worldwide. ## Family connection in coaching Rick Adelman’s coaching lineage continues through his son, David Adelman, who currently serves as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. The elder Adelman also enjoyed an eight-year playing career before transitioning into coaching. His contributions earned him recognition as one of the most influential figures in the history of the teams he led, leaving a lasting imprint on the league and the communities he served.