The Minnesota Timberwolves fired coach Tom Thibodeau, halfway into his third season with the team that began with the turmoil surrounding the eventual trade of All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Thibodeau was dismissed about an hour after Minnesota’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Assistant coach Ryan Saunders, the son of the late Flip Saunders, takes over on an interim basis.
Thibodeau went 97-107 with the Wolves. He led them to the playoffs last spring, after a 13-year absence from the postseason.
Minnesota is 19-21 this season and sits in eleventh place in the Western Conference.
