Emotional moment NBA star Joe Ingles gets starting nod to play in front of his autistic son for the first time

Emotional moment NBA star Joe Ingles gets starting nod to play in front of his autistic son for the first time

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joe Ingles started in his first game in over three years and for the first time in front of his autistic son.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch started the 37-year-old to ensure his son Jacob saw him play.

Although Ingles was scoreless in a 134-93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the gesture meant so much to the veteran and his family.

The Athletic reported that Ingles had his wife, Renae, and their three children in attendance after they spent the entire season in Orlando, where he played last season.

Jacob attended a Timberwolves game earlier this week. However, his father did not get to step on the court. Therefore, Finch made sure to give Ingles minutes on Friday.

‘Sometimes you’ve got to do the human thing,’ Finch said, according to the site. ‘We always talk about, ‘All these minutes matter,’ and those minutes mattered for another reason.’

NBA veteran Joe Ingles started for the Timberwolves in front of his autistic son Jacob

NBA veteran Joe Ingles started for the Timberwolves in front of his autistic son Jacob 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Renae Ingles (@renaeingles)

Read More Bronny James hits back at criticism in rare interview article image

‘Someone put it in my head as an idea to make sure Joe can see the floor and I figured if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in style,’ Finch said. ‘Guys were behind it and I think it gave us just the right boost that we needed and change of energy.

‘Not often that you get to do those types of things, but we’re really happy that we could.’

Ingles is in his 11th season in the NBA after eight campaigns with the Utah Jazz.

Having played in 19 games this season, Ingles took the opportunity to raise awareness about autism.

‘This s*** is real,’ Ingles said of his son’s condition. ‘It doesn’t matter who you are or your lifestyle, your money, whatever. Jacob doesn’t really care I play basketball… He wants his dad home and every time I say I’m going to play basketball, he’s like ‘Ughhh.’ Which I’m sure a lot of kids — it’s not just me obviously.’

‘We’ll keep doing what we do,’ Ingles said. ‘We’ll keep pushing the awareness and doing what 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 the situation that you’re in. All we can do is talk about and obviously for us, give Jacob the best chance to fit in this kind of crazy world that we’re in.’

Related Posts

San Antonio Spurs staff are told to NEVER contact rookie Victor Wembanyama after 9:30pm… so he can read in peace before going to bed

San Antonio Spurs staff are told to NEVER contact rookie Victor Wembanyama after 9:30pm… so he can read in peace before going to bed

Most watched Sport videos San Antonio Spurs staff have been told to never contact their rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama after 9:30pm. That is because the Frenchman has…

Clip emerges of Mavs superstar Doncic immediately calling for security to eject heckling fan… after he told four-time NBA All-Star to ‘get on the treadmill’ during game

Clip emerges of Mavs superstar Doncic immediately calling for security to eject heckling fan… after he told four-time NBA All-Star to ‘get on the treadmill’ during game

Most watched Sport videos Mavericks star Luka Doncic appeared to have a Phoenix Suns fan ejected in Dallas on Wednesday night in response to criticism about his…

Doc Rivers ‘is signing million deal with the Bucks to coach through the 2026-27 season’ after second-place Milwaukee fired Adrian Griffin 43 games into his first year with the team

Doc Rivers ‘is signing $40million deal with the Bucks to coach through the 2026-27 season’ after second-place Milwaukee fired Adrian Griffin 43 games into his first year with the team

Most watched Sport videos Doc Rivers’ decision to defect from ESPN and return to the bench is reportedly a lucrative move for the new Milwaukee Bucks head…

Ben Simmons could return for the Brooklyn Nets on MONDAY as star plans to practice with their G League team at the weekend after lengthy absence with back issue

Ben Simmons could return for the Brooklyn Nets on MONDAY as star plans to practice with their G League team at the weekend after lengthy absence with back issue

Most watched Sport videos Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons appears to be finally nearing a return to action and is set to practice with the team’s G…

Clip goes viral of ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel Tyra Banks uncomfortably sitting between two Furries at Knicks-Nets game in Brooklyn

Clip goes viral of ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel Tyra Banks uncomfortably sitting between two Furries at Knicks-Nets game in Brooklyn

Most watched Sport videos Footage of supermodel Tyra Banks has gone viral on social media as she appeared to be sitting uncomfortably between two ‘furries’ at the…

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo announced as captains for the NBA All-Star Game, while fans scratch heads as Damian Lillard is also named a starter

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo announced as captains for the NBA All-Star Game, while fans scratch heads as Damian Lillard is also named a starter

Most watched Sport videos The NBA All-Star Game starters were announced on Thursday night – and the squads were mostly devoid of surprises as LeBron James and…