Australian NBA star Joe Ingles given start so he could play in front of autistic son for first time

A heartfelt gesture from the Minnesota Timberwolves brought a world of joy to Joe Ingles and his family.

Former Australian netballer Renae Ingles has thanked the Minnesota Timberwolves and their coach Chris Finch for their “heartfelt gesture” starting her husband Joe Ingles so he could play in front of their autistic son, Jacob, for the first time.

In a heartwarming moment in the NBA, Ingles started his first game on court in more than three years after Timberwolves coach Chris Finch brought him into the starting five to make sure Jacob could see his dad play.

Ingles had Renae and their three children at the game against New Orleans in Minneapolis, with his family spending the season in Orlando where the 37-year-old had played last year.

Jacob had earlier in the week made it through his first full NBA game watching from in the stands – but Ingles didn’t play.

But then Finch made the call to put Ingles in the starting line-up against the Pelicans so Jacob could hear his dad’s name called out on court.

Renae later paid tribute to the Timberwolves’ “kindness”, which she said was a moment the family would never forget.

Joe Ingles of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

“Last night, coach Chris Finch of the Timberwolves made a heartfelt gesture by starting my husband Joe for the first time since 2022, allowing our autistic son to hear his dad’s name called out,” she wrote on Instagram.

“This moment is one our family will cherish forever,

“Words can’t fully express our gratitude for such kindness. Those minutes on the court meant so much more than just a basketball game.

“I’m incredibly proud of Jacob for all his hard work that brought him to the stands, but my heart swells with pride for Joe.

“It’s a testament to his character, and to the amazing people in this organisation who recognise him and would do something like this for him. Just wow,

“Thank-you, Timberwolves.”

Finch said after the game it had been an “emotional” moment, but was one which had given everyone at the Timberwolves a lift in their 134-93 win.

“It was emotional. Sometimes you’ve got to do the human thing,” Finch said.

“We always talk about, ‘All these minutes matter’ and those minutes mattered for another reason.

“Someone put it in my head today as an idea to make sure that Joe can see the floor and I figured if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in style.

“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 said he had cherished having his family at the game.

“They haven’t really been here all year,” Ingles said.

“So to have them here for 10 days and obviously get to play in front of them and obviously Jacob getting two games in a row now he has stayed, so hopefully I’ll have to play a little longer.”

Renae and Joe Ingles have become passionate advocates for autism awareness since Jacob was diagnosed as on the spectrum in 2019.

Originally published as Australian NBA star Joe Ingles given start so he could play in front of autistic son for first time