Despite defeating the Los Angeles Lakers by 22 points on Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to move on from head coach and team president Tom Thibodeau.
That’s the word from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Sources with @JonKrawczynski: Minnesota has fired coach Tom Thibodeau.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2019
This comes after just two-plus seasons in Minnesota and following a surprising 47-35 2017-18 campaign.
Thibodeau’s tenure was defined by a rift with former Wolves star Jimmy Butler and an inability of the young core to progress thus far this season. Even after Sunday’s win, Minnesota heads into the midway point in the season with a lackluster 19-21 record.
Needless to say, Twitter was full of reactions after news of the coach’s firing on Sunday evening.
The Timberwolves have fired Tom Thibodeau. I repeat, the Timberwolves have fired Tom Thibodeau. I DID NOT EXPECT THIS NEWS TONIGHT. WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW.
— Wolf Den (@MNWolfDen) January 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/burrough_/status/1082069375753117697?s=20
This is shocking news. We are all stunned in the media room.
Tom Thibodeau just gave one of his most pleasant press conferences. He was laughing. I have to imagine this came from out of nowhere.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 7, 2019
TOM THIBODEAU pic.twitter.com/fPHA0fvi5w
— Matt (@BelowAverageOPS) January 7, 2019
Shouldn’t Luke have been fired instead? 😭😭😭😭 RT @ShamsCharania: Sources with @JonKrawczynski: Minnesota has fired coach Tom Thibodeau.
— Free Palestine ✊🏼 (@Gym2Lift) January 7, 2019
Tom Thibodeau fired after 2 straight wins? pic.twitter.com/FnaxkSfUZr
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/kylekuzna/status/1082069192306618368?s=20
Tom Thibodeau got FIRED???? pic.twitter.com/zlwA5AsmHn
— Brick Deckard (@klond00) January 7, 2019