MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves fired Coach Tom Thibodeau on Sunday, halfway into his third season with the team, which began with the turmoil surrounding the eventual trade of All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Thibodeau was dismissed about an hour after a 108-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Scott Layden will remain the general manager, and assistant coach Ryan Saunders will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Thibodeau finished 97-107 with the Wolves, who returned to the NBA playoffs last spring after a 13-year absence. But when Butler, Thibodeau’s prized acquisition who played for him in Chicago, forced his way out of Minnesota, however, the coach found himself in a tenuous spot.
Minnesota was 4-9 before trading Butler to the 76ers. The team has improved since his departure but is still 11th in the Western Conference at 19-21.
• Andrew Wiggins scored 25 of his 28 points in the first half, helping Minnesota take charge from the opening tipoff against the Lakers, who fell to 1-5 since LeBron James sustained a groin injury on Christmas Day.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks to help Minnesota improve to 14-6 at home, including 8-2 against Western Conference foes.
RAPTORS 121, PACERS 105: Norman Powell scored a season-high 23 points, Pascal Siakam had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Toronto won at home, snapping Indiana’s six-game winning streak.
WIZARDS 116, THUNDER 98: Bradley Beal scored 25 points to help Washington win at Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season for the Thunder and the 116th of his career.
NETS 117, BULLS 100: D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points, DeMarre Carroll had 20 and Brooklyn won at Chicago for its third straight victory.
CLIPPERS 106, MAGIC 96: Tobias Harris scored 28 points and Los Angeles overcame a slow start to beat visiting Orlando.
HAWKS 106, HEAT 82: Trae Young scored 19 points, John Collins had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Atlanta won at home to snap a three-game skid.
SATURDAY’S LATE GAME
WARRIORS 127, KINGS 123: Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter and had 10 3-pointers, and visiting Golden State held on in a game that featured the most 3-pointers in NBA history.
The teams combined for 41 3-pointers. Golden State shot 21 of 47 beyond the arc, while Sacramento set a franchise record for 3s, making 20 of 36.
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