Minnesota has fired head coach and president Tom Thibodeau, according to multiple reports.
President and coach Tom Thibodeau has been fired by Minnesota. https://t.co/BCmeVWZ0h1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2019
The report comes only an hour after the Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-86 at home to move to 19-21 on the season.
Thibodeau was announced as the head coach and president of basketball operations of the Wolves on April 20, 2016, leading them to a winning season in 2017-18 and snapping a 14-year playoff drought.
He exits with 97-107 regular season record and a 1-4 playoff record during his time in Minnesota.
Thibodeau has coached a total of 598 regular season games, going 352-246 over his tenure in Chicago and Minnesota.
The team officially confirmed the firing with a press release.
"We would like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him all the best," said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.
"These decisions are never easy to make, but we felt them necessary to move our organization forward."
NEWS: Timberwolves relieve Tom Thibodeau of his duties.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 7, 2019
Assistant Coach Ryan Saunders will assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Full release: pic.twitter.com/sleIVTH1sM
At 32, Saunders becomes the youngest head coach in the NBA.