Minnesota Timberwolves Coach Flip Saunders Dies After Battle with Cancer

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that Head Coach and President of Basketball Flip Saunders has died at the age of 60. 

Saunders had been battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was initially believed that he would not miss any time, but the Wolves promoted Sam Mitchell to interim coach in September after Saunders was hospitalized due to treatment complications. 

The organization sent out a press release today, announcing the news: “It is with extreme sadness that the Minnesota Timberwolves today learned that Phil “Flip” Saunders, who served as the team’s President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, in addition to being a minority owner of the team, has passed away at age 60.

The organization will follow up with more information as it becomes available.”

The Timberwolves open their season on Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers at 9:30 P.M. The game can be seen on ESPN.