“She Was So Small”: Don Johnson Recalls Seeing The Late LA Clippers Coach Dennis Johnson’s Wife Donna After What He Saw At The Locker Room

Don shares explicit locker room secrets of Dennis Johnson.

August 3, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on August 3, 2026

Don Johnson recently shared a funny and surprising story from years ago when he visited the Boston Celtics locker room after a game, thanks to an invite from his friend, Larry Bird.

While hanging out with some of the players, he suddenly noticed the late coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Dennis Johnson, walking out of the shower, and he couldn’t help but be shocked by what he saw.

Trying to play it cool, Don looked over at Bird and Kevin McHale, who seemed to acknowledge his reaction with a knowing look, as if to say, “Yeah, we know.”

But the moment that stuck with Don happened just after he left the locker room.

On his way out, he saw Dennis Johnson standing in the tunnel with his wife, Donna, who was surprisingly petite.

The contrast between Dennis and his wife left Don amused and puzzled, enough that he’s still thinking about it all these years later.

Don joked that he had just bragged about Dennis’s private parts on national TV, and Kimmel found it hilarious.

He even added that he hoped people would say the same kind of thing about him at his funeral.

Dennis Johnson’s Legacy Lives On Through His Wife Donna, His Career, and a Hall of Fame Honor

Dennis Johnson was married to his wife Donna for 31 years, and they had three children together: Dwayne, Denise, and Daniel.

In 1997, Johnson faced legal issues when he was arrested for allegedly threatening his wife with a knife and also threatening his 17-year-old son.

Dennis Johnson jersey retirement (1991)

— 90s NBA (@NBA90s)

He was charged with aggravated assault and ordered to stay away from his family.

However, several months later, the charges were dropped after Donna decided not to press charges. Johnson reportedly attended counseling to rebuild his marriage.

Years later, on February 22, 2007, tragedy struck.

While at the Austin Convention Center after finishing practice with the Austin Toros, Johnson suffered a heart attack and collapsed.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be revived. He was later pronounced dead.

Three and a half years after his death, Johnson was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of legends like Larry Bird.

The honor recognized a career that ended in 1990 with the Boston Celtics, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the game.

His widow, Donna Johnson, delivered a brief but heartfelt speech. Holding back tears, she said it was an emotional moment for her and that Dennis would have been proud to receive such an honor.

Check this Pass Out. From 1980
John Johnson to Dennis Johnson.

— Networks Basketball (@CoachKNunley)

While Johnson’s career stats of 15,535 points and 5,499 assists during his time with the Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics were impressive, it was never just about the numbers.

What truly set him apart was his ability to rise to the occasion.

Whether it was making a crucial defensive stop, delivering a clutch pass, or hitting a big shot, Johnson had an instinct for stepping up when it mattered most.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• After leaving college following his junior year, he was selected in the second round of the draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
• In a 1979 game against the Chicago Bulls, none other than Magic Johnson would later call him “the best backcourt defender of all time.”
• In 1983, he joined the Boston Celtics, where he found his long-term home and became a key part of one of the NBA’s most iconic dynasties.
• Playing alongside legends like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, and Bill Walton, Johnson solidified his place as one of the greats of the 1980s era.

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Introducing Alisha Shrestha, a dynamic writer and content editor with a finger on the pulse of the sports industry. With her passion for style and culture, Alisha delivers compelling articles that inspire and inform readers, keeping them up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

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