Aussie Joe Ingles just misses triple-double on Autism Awareness Night

Aussie cult hero Joe Ingles fell just one rebound short of his first ever NBA triple-double in a selfless performance as his side raised $1.2 million to help children, like his son Jacob, who have autism.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell gives Joe Ingles a Gatorade shower after his stunning performance. Picture: AP

Talk about a buzzkill.

Aussie cult hero Joe Ingles was just one rebound shy of his first ever NBA triple-double — still with almost 2.30 left in the game — when Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder subbed him out for good.

When Ingles sat down to a standing ovation, the Jazz were up by 22 against a LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers and he had smashed his career-high assist total, with 14, laced with 11 points and nine rebounds.

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Fittingly, Ingles — who last month went public with the news his son Jacob was diagnosed with autism — produced his stunning performance during a game dubbed ‘Autism Awareness Night’ at Vivint Smart Home Arena, with $1.2 million raised by the team and its sponsors for the cause.

“It was just a special night,” Ingles said after the game.

His benching sparked “We want Joe” chants from the crowd — to which Ingles just wagged his finger — as the Jazz closed out a 115-100 win to improve to 45-30 on the season, good enough to be tied for fifth in the West.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell gives Joe Ingles a Gatorade shower after his stunning performance. Picture: AP

“There was no chance (of him chasing the last rebound he needed for a triple double,” Ingles, who copped a Gatorade shower from star teammate Donovan Mitchell after the game, said.

“It’s not me. It’s not our team. We had a lead. Our guys that were in, were in.

“I’ve never played for that reason and I never will.”

Snyder hailed Ingles’ selfless attitude.

“Joe played great. It was a big night in a lot of ways. (He brought us) defense, playmaking and shooting at a high level,” Snyder said.

“It was a typical Joe Ingles game.

“His leadership, as much as anything, when things don’t go perfectly, his ability to stay focused and stay in the game is huge for our team.”

Joe Ingles battles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma during the win. Picture: AP

Big man Rudy Gobert paced the Jazz with 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, one of seven Utah players to score at least 11 points.

The struggling Lakers never looked likely, despite 21 points from Kyle Kuzma and another gaudy statline from Javale McGee (16-13-2).

"I'm glad we got the win and glad for the awareness and the arena was sold out. That was the more important thing for me tonight"@Joeingles7 postgame 🎥💙 pic.twitter.com/gUv22Oqcqq

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 28, 2019

In other NBA action, Devin Booker became the youngest player in NBA history to produce back-to-back 50 point games, but Phoenix went down to Washington 124-121. Booker scored 59 points in a 125-92 loss to Utah on Tuesday.

Both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant each scored 28 points as Golden State blew out Memphis 118-103, Russell Westbrook (17-11-12) recorded his 31st triple double of the season and Paul George poured in 31 points in Oklahoma City’s 107-99 win over Indiana, and Portland smacked the Chicago 118-98.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker torched Washington with a 50 piece, but couldn’t get the W. Picture: AP

Originally published as Aussie Joe Ingles just misses triple-double on Autism Awareness Night