Timberwolves plan home opener pregame tribute to Saunders
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves plan a pregame tribute to coach and team president Flip Saunders before Monday night's home opener.
Saunders died last Sunday of complications from Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Timberwolves return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers after opening the season with two wins on the road, against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.
Before the 7 p.m. tipoff at Target Center, the Timberwolves will honor Saunders with a video tribute featuring many of his friends, former colleagues, former teammates and coaches.
The team also will debut a commemorative patch the Timberwolves will wear on their jerseys this season to honor Saunders. In addition, the players are wearing a special warmup shirt that says "WE" — symbolizing the team's togetherness — through the month of November.