The Timberwolves begin the 2015-2016 season Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers at 9:30pm, pregame on WJON at 9:00.  The Wolves will do so without longtime head coach, Vice President of Basketball Operations and part-owner Flip Saunders.  The Timberwolves announced Sunday that Flip died at the age of 60 after a battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The Timberwolves have Saunders fingerprints all over them from the coaching staff to the roster.  Saunders drafted, traded for and signed many of the players in the roster including rookies Karl Anthony-Towns and Tyus Jones and 2nd year player Andrew Wiggins.

Wolves owner Glen Taylor released the following statement:

“It is with tremendous difficulty and deep sadness that the Timberwolves acknowledge the passing of our President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, Flip Saunders. Flip was a symbol of strength, compassion, and dignity for our organization. He was a shining example of what a true leader should be, defined by his integrity and kindness to all he encountered. Today is not a day to reflect on Flip’s accomplishments in basketball or what he brought to us as an organization on the court, but rather to indicate what he meant to us as a co-worker, friend, member of the community and the basketball world at large. We as an organization are devastated by his passing, and our hearts and prayers go out to Debbie and the entire Saunders family as they endure this extraordinary loss.”

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