Andrew Wiggins' first NBA game in his hometown on Wednesday just became a double homecoming of sorts as former Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell will be running the Minnesota Timberwolves' bench.

The Timberwolves said on Tuesday that head coach Flip Saunders will be away from the team for personal reasons.

Mitchell was head coach of the Raptors from 2004-08 and compiled a record of 156-189. He was the NBA's coach of the year with the Raptors in 2006-07.

Wiggins, who grew up just north of Toronto in Thornhill, Ont., has had a superb rookie season in Minnesota. The 20-year-old is averaging 15.7 points and just over four rebounds per game.

He is facing the Raptors for the first time, with a return date set between the teams in Minnesota on April 1.