‘It’s emotional’ – NBA star delivers heartfelt message after autistic son watches him play for first time
It was a special night for the Ingles family on Friday. Veteran Joe Ingles was given a rare start by Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch so his autistic son Jacob could watch him play for the first time. Ingles’ son Jacob got to watch him play for the first time n FridayGetty Ingles’ last start in an NBA game was in January 2022. The 37-year-old had a successful eight-year run with the Utah Jazz which unfortunately ended with an ACL tear. Said injury has caused the Australian to spend the last few years of his career as journeyman, spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic before landing in Minnesota. Game time has been hard to come by, though. Ingles had not played a minute for the T-Wolves for almost the past month, which included sitting on the bench for the entirety of Sunday’s game against former team Utah. Unfortunately, that coincided with a milestone night for the Ingles family, with wife Renae and children Jacob, Milla, and Jack traveling the length of the country from Orlando to Minnesota to watch, It marked the first time eight-year-old Jacob, whose autism can cause sensory overload, had made it through a whole game in the stands. But sadly, his dad didn’t play. With Jacob back in the stands at Target Center for the contest with the Pelicans on Friday night, Finch made sure the youngster got to see his dad in action. Ingles only played the first six minutes of the game, recording an assist before subbing out for Donte DiVincenzo as the Timberwolves completed a 134-93 victory. Ingles last started an NBA game for the first time since 2022X@BleacherReport The Australian’s family, including son Jacob, were in the stands at Target CenterX@BleacherReport Wolves coach Finch admitted it was an emotional moment after the gameX@SneakerReporter When asked about the decision after the game, Finch got emotional. “It’s emotional,” Finch said. “Sometimes, you have to do the human thing. And you always talk about all these minutes matter. Those minutes matter for another reason.” Finch said the idea of starting Ingles was floated to him earlier Friday. “And I figured if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in style,” he said. “Guys were behind it, and I think it gave us just the right boost that we needed and a change of energy. “It’s not often you get to do those types of things, but we’re really happy that we could.” NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals Ingles was appreciative after the game and delivered a powerful message from the heart about the challenges of living with a son with autism. “The reality is I just don’t think people understand,” Ingles told reporters in Minnesota. “There’s a little less stress because I can afford for Jacob to get what he needs but it doesn’t take away the meltdowns at the supermarket… or laying on the floor in public and you know people are staring and judging you but they have no idea what he’s gone through that day or the night before. “The s—‘s real. It doesn’t matter who you are or the lifestyle or the money,” he added. “We’ll keep doing what we do. The awareness, and we’ll keep doing whatever we can to help other families. But I think people just need to understand this is a real thing. It doesn’t go away with money. It doesn’t go away with situations we’re in. All we can do is talk about it. And then obviously for us, give Jacob the best chance to fit in in this crazy world that we’re in.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Renae Ingles (@renaeingles) Ingles’ wife Renae, a former Australian netball star, also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram. “Tonight was a milestone night for our family, and I just had to share! I don’t usually post much NBA content, but this moment was too special to keep to myself,” she wrote. “For the first time ever, Jacob made it through an entire NBA game—out in the stands cheering for his Dads team! “Watching him soak in every moment, I couldn’t help but tear up with pride.” “It’s been 6 years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to reach this point, and here we are, riding high on this incredible achievement. “Feeling incredibly thankful for this journey and all the support we’ve had throughout.” How to watch NBA in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games. Reigning champions the
It was a special night for the Ingles family on Friday.
Veteran Joe Ingles was given a rare start by Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch so his autistic son Jacob could watch him play for the first time.
Ingles’ last start in an NBA game was in January 2022.
The 37-year-old had a successful eight-year run with the Utah Jazz which unfortunately ended with an ACL tear.
Said injury has caused the Australian to spend the last few years of his career as journeyman, spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic before landing in Minnesota.
Game time has been hard to come by, though. Ingles had not played a minute for the T-Wolves for almost the past month, which included sitting on the bench for the entirety of Sunday’s game against former team Utah.
Unfortunately, that coincided with a milestone night for the Ingles family, with wife Renae and children Jacob, Milla, and Jack traveling the length of the country from Orlando to Minnesota to watch,
It marked the first time eight-year-old Jacob, whose autism can cause sensory overload, had made it through a whole game in the stands.
But sadly, his dad didn’t play.
With Jacob back in the stands at Target Center for the contest with the Pelicans on Friday night, Finch made sure the youngster got to see his dad in action.
Ingles only played the first six minutes of the game, recording an assist before subbing out for Donte DiVincenzo as the Timberwolves completed a 134-93 victory.
When asked about the decision after the game, Finch got emotional.
“It’s emotional,” Finch said. “Sometimes, you have to do the human thing. And you always talk about all these minutes matter. Those minutes matter for another reason.”
Finch said the idea of starting Ingles was floated to him earlier Friday.
“And I figured if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in style,” he said.
“Guys were behind it, and I think it gave us just the right boost that we needed and a change of energy.
“It’s not often you get to do those types of things, but we’re really happy that we could.”
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Ingles was appreciative after the game and delivered a powerful message from the heart about the challenges of living with a son with autism.
“The reality is I just don’t think people understand,” Ingles told reporters in Minnesota.
“There’s a little less stress because I can afford for Jacob to get what he needs but it doesn’t take away the meltdowns at the supermarket… or laying on the floor in public and you know people are staring and judging you but they have no idea what he’s gone through that day or the night before.
“The s—‘s real. It doesn’t matter who you are or the lifestyle or the money,” he added.
“We’ll keep doing what we do. The awareness, and we’ll keep doing whatever we can to help other families. But I think people just need to understand this is a real thing. It doesn’t go away with money. It doesn’t go away with situations we’re in. All we can do is talk about it. And then obviously for us, give Jacob the best chance to fit in in this crazy world that we’re in.”
Ingles’ wife Renae, a former Australian netball star, also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram.
“Tonight was a milestone night for our family, and I just had to share! I don’t usually post much NBA content, but this moment was too special to keep to myself,” she wrote.
“For the first time ever, Jacob made it through an entire NBA game—out in the stands cheering for his Dads team!
“Watching him soak in every moment, I couldn’t help but tear up with pride.”
“It’s been 6 years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to reach this point, and here we are, riding high on this incredible achievement.
“Feeling incredibly thankful for this journey and all the support we’ve had throughout.”
How to watch NBA in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games.
Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020.
To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand.
- Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month
- Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month
For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.
