Watch: Lakers, Timberwolves hold moment of silence for Flip Saunders
Teams around the league honored late Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders as the season got underway Wednesday night.
Moments of silence were taken in NBA arenas around the country for Saunders, who died of cancer at age 60 on Sunday. Saunders also coached the Wizards and Pistons during his 17-season coaching career.
The Staples Center, with L.A. hosting Minnesota, held a moment of silence for Saunders, one of the league’s most respected, well-liked people. Here’s video of the pregame gesture:
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUq-mS21k4c&feature=youtu.be]
Minnesota beat L.A. 112–111 in a game that interim coach Sam Mitchell said, “Coach would be proud of us.” Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins detailed how Adam Silver’s pregame speech helped the Timberwolves play on for Saunders.
The Lakers and Timberwolves also wore shooting shirts with Saunders’s name on them.
• RUSHIN: Flip’s extensive reach | GOLLIVER: Saunders was a basketball lifer
Detroit, Miami, Boston, and Phoenix were among the teams to remember Saunders before their games.
