On March 21, 2025, Joe Ingles made his first start in three years for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Some fans were confused as to why Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch decided, just before tipoff, to include the 37-year-old in the starting lineup—especially with only a few weeks left in the regular season and the team fighting for playoff seeding.

But for Coach Finch, this decision wasn’t about strategy. It was about giving Ingles’ 8-year-old son, Jacob—who was diagnosed with autism—a memory he would never forget: the chance to see his father not just play in an NBA game, but to be announced with the starters and step onto the court like he had done so many times before.

Joe Ingles and his wife Renae, a former professional netball player, welcomed twins, Jacob and Milla, in 2016. As new parents, they were overjoyed to begin their journey as a family. But as Jacob grew, they noticed his development was different from his sister’s. He struggled with eye contact, had delayed speech, and often seemed withdrawn. After a long and emotional process, Jacob was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2019.

Raising Awareness

Rather than keeping the diagnosis private, the Ingles’ chose to share their family’s journey publicly—not for sympathy, but to raise awareness, build community, and offer hope to others navigating similar challenges. They wanted to show that an autism diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of dreams—just a different, equally meaningful path.

Ingles didn’t let the demands of an NBA season keep him from being a present and loving father. If anything, Jacob’s diagnosis gave him a new perspective on what truly mattered. He became more vocal about mental health, more engaged in community efforts, and more determined to use his platform for good. On off days, he’d fly home just to spend a few precious hours with Jacob. Every milestone—no matter how small—became a reason to celebrate. When Jacob said “Dada” for the first time at age four, Joe called it the most important moment of his life.

For years, the noise and intensity of an NBA arena had been too much for Jacob to handle. But with time, preparation, and the support of both teams, that changed. On March 16, Jacob attended his first-ever NBA game when the Timberwolves played Joe’s former team, the Utah Jazz. The Jazz organization set up a quiet room with sensory toys and noise-canceling headphones to make the experience manageable. But that night, Joe didn’t check into the game.

When Coach Finch learned of it, he knew what he had to do. He made the call to not only let Jacob see his dad play—but to hear his name announced in the starting lineup. “It was the human thing to do,” Finch said.

The Timberwolves went on to win 134–93, with Ingles playing the first six minutes of the game. But the real victory was far greater.

In a league full of highlight reels and superstar moments, Joe Ingles’ story stands apart—not because of his stats, but because of the father he chose to be when life took an unexpected turn. His love, humility, and willingness to uplift others make his journey not just inspirational—but profoundly human.

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