Minnesota Timberwolves' Flip Saunders passes away after battle with cancer

Washington Wizards head coach Flip Saunders looks on from the sideline during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011
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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders passes away after losing his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders has passed away after battling with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Saunders, 60, was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year, but had unfortunately received a number of setbacks during treatment.

Saunders was also the President in charge of Basketball Operations and a minor owner in the franchise. He went 654-592 in a career spanning 17 seasons with the Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards.

Sam Mitchell has been named interim head coach of the Timberwolves and General Manager Milt Newton is heading the team's personnel department.

Washington Wizards head coach Flip Saunders looks on from the sideline during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011
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