Editing Don Nelson (section)

===Los Angeles Lakers (1963–1965)===
On September 6, 1963, Nelson was claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers from the Chicago Zephyrs. He played in 80 games in 1963–1964, but just 39 in 1964–1965 under coach [[Fred Schaus]].<ref name="basketball-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nelsodo01.html|title=Don Nelson Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

In 1963–1964, Nelson played 80 games and averaged 5.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17 minutes for the Lakers, as Los Angeles finished 42–38. He saw his first playoff action, as the Lakers were defeated by the [[St. Louis Hawks]] (today's Atlanta Hawks), with [[Bob Pettit]], [[Cliff Hagan]] and [[Lenny Wilkens]] 3–2. Nelson averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1964-nba-western-division-semifinals-lakers-vs-hawks.html|title=1964 NBA Western Division Semifinals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. St. Louis Hawks|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1964.html|title=1963-64 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

In 1964–1965, Nelson played little, averaging 2.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in just six minutes per game in 39 games. The Lakers used Nelson more in the playoffs as they defeated Nelson's former team, the Baltimore Bullets in the playoffs 4–2. Nelson averaged 5.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the series. The Lakers then faced the Boston Celtics in the [[1965 NBA Finals]]. The Lakers lost to the Celtics 4–1, as Nelson averaged 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists and 20 minutes in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1965-nba-finals-lakers-vs-celtics.html|title=1965 NBA Finals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1965.html|title=1964-65 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1965-nba-western-division-finals-bullets-vs-lakers.html|title=1965 NBA Western Division Finals - Baltimore Bullets vs. Los Angeles Lakers|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

After two seasons with the Lakers, where he averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13 minutes playing alongside [[Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] [[Elgin Baylor]] and [[Jerry West]], Nelson left Los Angeles.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com"/>