Former Warriors and Kings coach, and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Adelman died on Monday from unspecified causes. He was 79.

Adelman served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers from 1989 to 1994 before Golden State hired him in 1995, a union that lasted two seasons. After a year away from the sidelines, Adelman was named the Kings’ head coach in September 1998 and guided the team to five consecutive 50-plus-win seasons from 2000 to 2005 and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2002.

Immortalized on a 2001 Sports Illustrated cover as “The Greatest Show on Court,” Adelman’s Kings arguably were the most successful in franchise history.

“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world,” the Kings said in a statement Monday. “During his eight seasons in Sacramento, he led the team to unprecedented success and helped create some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.

“For an entire generation of Kings fans, Coach Adelman represented the very best of Sacramento basketball, and he will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork. His leadership helped establish a culture that continues to resonate throughout our organization today.     

“Our thoughts are with Mary Kay, his family, friends, former players, and all who loved him.”

The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world.   
  
During his eight seasons in… pic.twitter.com/nX0848kCW9

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) June 1, 2026

The Warriors also released a statement Monday, saying “Rick Adelman left an indelible mark on the NBA during his nearly four decades in the league, both as a player for seven seasons and as a coach for 29 seasons, including two seasons with the Warriors (1995-97). His creativity and ingenuity led his teams to 1,042 wins during his illustrious coaching career, the 10th-most in NBA history, and earned him entry into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the hundreds of lives he impacted, both on and off the court, throughout a legendary career.”

Adelman broke into the NBA as a player, enjoying an eight-year career with five teams including the then-Kansas City-Omaha Kings. After his coaching stint with the Kings ended in 2006, Adelman went on to coach the Houston Rockets from 2007 to 2011 and the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2011 to 2014.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted Adelman’s passing on Monday, saying in part: “He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick’s family and many friends throughout the league.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former NBA player, head coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Adelman:

“Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA. Following… pic.twitter.com/O8ciXfIg7R

— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2026

Adelman is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, and six children. His son, David, is the current head coach of the Denver Nuggets.

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