Posted at: 12/21/2012 4:00 PM

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Timberwolves mourn passing of biggest fan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Timberwolves are preparing to say goodbye to one of their biggest fans, and biggest inspirations.

Mike Stephenson died Tuesday after the latest in a series of bouts with pneumonia. Stephenson had cerebral palsy, and he was a fixture at Timberwolves games thanks to a motorized wheelchair and a computerized board that helped him communicate.

Former coach Flip Saunders befriended Stephenson and used to let him come to practice in the early 2000s. Stephenson is even in the 2002-03 team photo.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday. The Timberwolves plan to honor him next week before a game against Houston.

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