Steve Kerr Honored Don Nelson With Pregame Beer
The Warriors coach shared a drink before the October 6 game against the Lakers to honor the late Hall of Fame coach.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Beer
Fans and staff at the Chase Center paid tribute to legendary Warriors coach Don Nelson, who died on August 9, 2026, at age 86. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opened his pregame media session by drinking a Bud Light to honor Nelson's famous postgame rituals.
Why it matters
The gesture served as the centerpiece of a commemorative Nellie Night, recognizing Nelson's 11 seasons leading the franchise. Nelson became famous in the Bay Area for bringing beers to press conferences during the 2007 NBA playoffs, a practice the league had once prohibited.
Don Nelson coached the Warriors for 11 seasons before passing away at age 86. While his 2007 beer-drinking antics were previously prohibited by the NBA, the team-sanctioned tribute honored his full legacy.
The players
Steve Kerr
The current head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Don Nelson
The late Hall of Fame coach who led the Warriors for 11 seasons.
Stephen Jackson
A former Warriors player who attended the commemorative game.
Matt Barnes
A former Warriors player present for the Nellie Night event.
Chris Mullin
A legendary former Warriors player and executive who joined the tribute.
The details
During the pregame availability at Chase Center, Kerr raised a Bud Light to mirror the tradition Nelson started in 2007. Throughout the 2026-27 season, players will continue the tribute by wearing commemorative Nellie bands on their uniforms. Fans in attendance received pins upon entry, and souvenir koozies were made available for purchase.
Timeline
1988-1995: Don Nelson's first stint as Warriors head coach.
2006-2010: Don Nelson's second stint as Warriors head coach.
2007: Nelson famously brought beer to postgame press conferences.
August 9, 2026: Don Nelson died at age 86.
October 6, 2026: Warriors hosted Nellie Night against the Lakers.
Across the Bay
The tribute follows a pattern set by the 2007 NBA playoffs press conferences, where Nelson famously brought beer to media rooms. This Nellie Night marks a formal institutional embrace of the unorthodox culture Nelson established during his time in Oakland and San Francisco.
If you are catching a game at Chase Center this season, look for the commemorative Nellie bands on player uniforms. These will be visible throughout the duration of the 2026-27 NBA season.
The takeaway
Don Nelson's impact on Warriors culture remains a defining part of the team's history. Watch for the memorial patches on jerseys throughout the remainder of the 2026-27 season to see how the organization continues to recognize his legacy.
Further reading
For more on the city's local culture and gathering spots, see our guide to San Francisco Beer.
