MINNEAPOLIS — Flip Saunders has been hospitalized for testing and treatment following a setback in his fight with cancer, leaving his leadership roles with the Minnesota Timberwolves indefinitely to focus on his health and recovery.
The Timberwolves confirmed assistant Sam Mitchell will take over as interim coach for Saunders, who is also the president of basketball operations. General manager Milt Newton’s responsibilities overseeing the roster also will expand with the absence of the 60-year-old Saunders, who was diagnosed this summer with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Timberwolves chief executive officer Rob Moor, citing the desire for privacy for Saunders and his family, declined to speak specifically about Saunders’ condition during a news conference Friday at team headquarters.