Joe Ingles gets first NBA start for Minnesota Timberwolves so son can see him play

Joe Ingles hadn't started an NBA game since January 2022, so when the Australian player was announced as a starting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the New Orleans Pelicans, it garnered some attention. This unexpected start highlighted the unique circumstances surrounding the game.

Shortly before the game, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch revealed that his reasons for starting Ingles went beyond just basketball considerations. Ingles had not played a single minute for the Timberwolves in nearly a month, including being benched for the entire game against his former team, the Utah Jazz, on Sunday. This decision was made with a deeper purpose in mind.

Unfortunately, this period coincided with an important moment for the Ingles family, as his wife, Renae, and children, Jacob, Milla, and Jack, traveled a long way from Orlando to Minnesota to watch the game. As a result, it marked the first time that eight-year-old Jacob, who has autism and is prone to sensory overload, watched an entire game from the stands without needing to leave. This was a significant milestone for the family.

Former Australian women's basketball star Renae Ingles wrote on Instagram: "Watching him soak up every single moment brought tears of pride to my eyes. Six years of work, dedication and perseverance have gone into achieving this, and we have finally reached this incredible milestone." Therefore, when the Ingles family came to watch the Timberwolves play again, Finch started Ingles, his first start in 1147 days. This was a gesture of support and recognition for the family's journey.

Renae said the move left her "speechless with gratitude." She wrote in her Instagram story: "Tonight was truly bigger than basketball for us and our family. The way Chris, the team and the entire club have supported Joe and our family, especially Jacob, has been unbelievable. It's a night our whole family will cherish forever. There were many tears shed today. I am proud of Joe as a person and as a teammate, because the fact that the team would do something like this for him truly reflects his value." The team's support demonstrated their appreciation for Ingles's contributions.

The retired Opals star said that Jacob being able to not only attend the game but also participate and enjoy the night "has truly taken years of work and practice, and constant trial and error." She said: "We have made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point, so the fact that Joe and I could feel this week that we were making the right choices for Jacob and his needs felt really good." This progress was a testament to their dedication and commitment to their son's well-being.

She added: "But it's not always smooth sailing. I just want to say to those of you who are parents and things aren't going well at the moment, or you're trying these things and they're not working, we still have those days and those moments, and that's okay. But you do need to enjoy it when you can, and we're soaking up all the love from the past week." Renae's message offered encouragement and understanding to other parents facing similar challenges.

Joe played only the first six minutes of the game, contributing one assist before being replaced by Donte DiVincenzo, and the Timberwolves ultimately won 134-93. "It was emotional. Sometimes you have to do things that are human," Finch said after the game. "We always say 'every minute matters,' and these minutes mattered for another reason. Someone made a suggestion to me today to make sure Joe got out there, and I thought if we're going to do it, let's do it right." Finch's compassionate decision resonated with many.

Since Jacob's autism diagnosis, the Ingleses have been active advocates for numerous autism causes and charities, including 4ASD Kids, and have helped establish sensory rooms in stadiums in Utah, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Melbourne. "I just don't think people understand," Joe said after the game. "It's a little less stressful because I can afford everything Jacob needs, but that doesn't eliminate the meltdowns in the grocery store... You can feel people staring at you. You know they're judging, you know they're making comments, but they don't know what he's been through that day or the night before, or what the situation is." Their advocacy work aims to increase understanding and acceptance of autism.

"We've been trying to raise awareness since he was diagnosed, like, this is really a thing." Ingles spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, followed by one season each with the Bucks and Magic, before arriving in Minnesota ahead of the 2024/25 season. His experiences have fueled his passion for supporting the autism community.

The 37-year-old admitted after the game that Jacob "doesn't really care" if he plays basketball. "He just wants his dad to come home," he told reporters. The Timberwolves, led by star guard Anthony Edwards, are battling for a Western Conference playoff spot, currently ranked seventh out of 15 teams with 41 wins in 72 games. Despite the team's playoff aspirations, family remains a priority for Ingles.