Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves GM: Team considered not playing opening game

Published Oct. 27, 2015 1:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Timberwolves family is going through about as tough a time as ever right now with the passing of legendary coach Flip Saunders just occurring over the weekend. Because of that, in a time of grieving, the Wolves actually considered not starting the season as they had planned...Literally.

From NBC Sports:

Delaying the opener clearly didn't end up happening. Minnesota will begin its season as planned against the Lakers on Wednesday night in L.A. The home opener remains Nov. 2 against the Trail Blazers.

Sam Mitchell, who took over as head coach when Saunders went on a leave of absence in September, says Flip’s imprint was on the entire organization. That’s from the roster to the coaching staff to the new practice facility that opened this summer.

General manager Milt Newton says the team has had discussions with the NBA about not playing in the season opener in Los Angeles against the Lakers. But as of now he believes the game will be played.