Joe Ingles made his first NBA start of the season for a deeply personal and touching reason.
The 37-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves forward stepped onto the court on Friday, March 21, to give his eight-year-old son Jacob a moment he would never forget.
Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Jacob had never before seen his father play in an NBA game in person due to his struggles with sensory overload.
But this time was different. Jacob, along with his mother Renae and two siblings, was visiting from their home in Orlando.
Determined to make the most of his chance to watch his father play, Jacob prepared himself for the experience. On March 16, he successfully watched the Timberwolves face off against the Utah Jazz, but his father didn’t play that day.
During the game’s halftime, Jacob told his mother he had a timer on so he wouldn’t “miss a second of the action.” When Renae asked if he would rather leave to play video games, Jacob responded, “Why? I can play the PlayStation at home. I’m here to watch my dad.”
Coach Finch’s Heartfelt Decision
Understanding the significance of the moment, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch made an extraordinary gesture.
Upon learning that the Ingles family was attending their final game before heading home, Finch placed Joe Ingles in the starting lineup against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was the first time Ingles had started in three years.
“Yeah, it’s emotional,” Finch admitted to reporters after the Timberwolves secured a dominant 134-93 win. “Sometimes, you gotta do the human thing. And we always talk about all these minutes matter, and those reasons matter for another reason.”
Finch added, “The guys were behind it, and I think it gave us just the right boost that we needed and change of energy. Joe‘s voice and leadership on this team have meant everything, particularly to our young guys, so it’s the least we can do.”
A Moment That Will Be Cherished Forever
Despite having played in only 18 of the team’s previous 71 games, Ingles started the game and played for the first six minutes, creating a moment that was priceless for both him and his son.
“This is the stuff I’ll remember forever,” Ingles said, reflecting on the emotional moment.
Renae, his wife, shared her gratitude on Instagram, expressing how much the gesture meant to their family.
“Those minutes on the court meant so much more than just a basketball game,” she wrote. “I am incredibly proud of Jacob for all his hard work that brought him to the stands, but my heart swells with pride for Joe.”
Speaking with The Athletic, Renae elaborated on how challenging the journey had been. “This truly took years and years of work and practice and getting it wrong and not having it work and trying things and failing at things and so much sacrifice to get to this point,” she said.
The Ingles family remains committed to ensuring Jacob can enjoy more moments like this in the future. Though Renae acknowledges, “It’s not all rainbows … We still have those days and moments,” the experience proved that their perseverance has been worth it.
For Joe Ingles, this emotional moment was more valuable than any game-winning shot or career milestone. It was about making a lifelong memory for his son.
