Flip Saunders Will Not Return To The Wolves This Season

Flip Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in August, but at the time, he and the team were confident that he’d be able to continue with his duties as coach and president while undergoing treatment. Then, in September, he was hospitalized after a setback and took a leave of absence. Reports came out earlier in the month that Flip, who remains in the hospital, was not making a quick recovery.

Team owner Glen Taylor confirmed last night that Saunders would be taking the entire season off to recover from treatment. Taylor told Jerry Zgoda of the Minnesota Star Tribune:

Not this year. I just think his illness, I mean, it’s serious. At this point, if he came back I still think he’d have a hard time to recover all his energy and all that because he has been in the hospital for a long time.”

The Timberwolves begin their season against the Lakers on Wednesday. Sam Mitchell and Milt Newton will take over coaching and presidential duties respectively. Get well soon, Flip.

Photo via AP