Flip Saunders hospitalized for cancer treatment, takes leave of absence from Timberwolves duties

Flip Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in June, just before the 2015 NBA Draft.

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Flip Saunders has taken a leave of absence from his duties, after being hospitalized following a setback in his cancer treatment. Team chief executive Rob Moor declined to give details about Saunders’ condition looking out for the privacy of Saunders’ and his family however he did mention that Saunders has experienced a few complications from chemotherapy treatments.

"Our first priority is making sure Flip regains his strength and is back to 100 percent before he is back to work," Moor said. "And while there is no timetable for Flip's return, we believe it will be measured in months, and not weeks. To attempt to place a timeline on things at this time would be unfair to the due process of recovery."

Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in June before the 2015 NBA Draft and announced it in August when the doctors called his condition “very curable and treatable”. During the announcement, the mood and spirit was upbeat and positive as Saunders hoped to return to his duties with the team when training camp was set to begin.

Saunders has coached the Timberwolves for 11 of his 17 coaching seasons in the NBA. After stints with the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards from 2005 to 2012, he returned to Minnesota as the team president. In 2014, he replaced retired Head Coach Rick Adelman as the Head Coach and the team recorded a league worst record of 16-66.

Sam Mitchell to serve as Interim Head Coach

In an official press release on Friday, the Timberwolves announced that assistant Head Coach Sam Mitchell will take over as the interim Head Coach until Saunders can make a healthy return to court side. Mitchell was hired by Saunders in 2014 for his head coaching experience and to help the staff in developing the team’s young core consisting of Andre Wiggins, Zach Lavine and Shabazz Muhammad.

"Out of respect, you don't want to step in under these circumstances, but, you know, Flip brought us here for a reason," Mitchell said. My thoughts right now are with Flip and the Saunders family. In the interim, I am confident that I can continue to build the foundation that Flip has established. We have a team blended with talented young guys and experienced veterans. We’re excited to see how this team comes together in training camp.”

Mitchell spent 4 years from 2004 to 2008 as the Head Coach of teh Toronto Raptors during which the team made it to the post-season twice. Although he was fired 17 games into the 2008-09 season, he did win the Coach of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season. To add to that, Mitchell also spent the last seven years of his playing career in Minnesota under Saunders.