Heartwarming NBA moment for Ingles family

• Joe Ingles' start was his first for the 2024/25 NBA season and first since the 2021/22 season
• He played six minutes as the Timberwolves destroyed the New Orleans Pelicans
• Ingles has played for the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlanda Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves

In one of the most heartwarming moments of the season, Australian NBA veteran Joe Ingles had the opportunity to start for the Minnesota Timberwolves with his son, Jacob, watching on for the first time.

Still residing in Orlando, Ingles' family are spending time in Minnesota but Jacob, who has autism, was yet to see a full NBA game live due to his condition. That was before the Timberwolves played the Utah Jazz on Sunday, where he managed to sit through a full game, the only problem was Ingles didn't play.

But in a moment the Ingles family will remember forever, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch decided to insert the Boomers legend into the starting lineup so his son could see him play an NBA game for the first time. In six minutes, Ingles dished out one assist as Minnesota destroyed the New Orleans Pelicans 134-93.

The moment of Ingles starting the game has gone viral on social media with personalities from across the Australian basketball community sharing the clip. The five-time Olympian has been an advocate to raise awareness for children with autism.

Finch said it was an emotional moment in his post-game press conference and that "sometimes you have to do the human thing".

"We always talk about all these minutes matter and those minutes (Ingles played) mattered for another reason," he said.

"Someone put it in my head today as an idea to make sure that Joe could see the floor and I figured, if we're going to do it, do it in style."

Minnesota's dominant win over the Pelicans, who were without superstar Zion Williamson, continues their recent run of impressive form, winning eight of their past 10 games. Seven players scored in double figures for the Timberwolves with Julius Randle leading the way with 20 points.

CJ McCollum led the scoring for New Orleans, who will visit Australia for two exhibition games later this year, with 15 points.

Houston Rockets @ Miami Heat

Aussie big man Jock Landale received a DNP Coach's Decision as the Houston Rockets beat the Miami Heat 102-98 at the Kaseya Center.

The win was Houston's ninth in a row as they maintain their grip on second spot in the Western Conference.

Charlotte Hornets @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Josh Green found his stroke from the three-point line but it didn't help the Charlotte Hornets, who lost to one of the championship favourites in the Oklahoma City Thunder 141-106 at Paycom Center.

Green hit 2-from-5 from beyond the arc, shooting 40%, and had 12 points in the loss.

Young Aussie big man Alex Ducas played six minutes for the Thunder, hitting a three-pointer and grabbing two rebounds.

Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers

Duop Reath once again took full advantage of more opportunity as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets 128-109 at the Moda Center.

Reath, whose minutes have been inconsistent this season, played 32 minutes for 12 points along with seven rebounds and four assists.

Memphis Grizzles @ Los Angeles Clippers

Ben Simmons struggled in his 13 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers, who beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-108 at the Intuit Dome.

Simmons had two blocks, two assists and two rebounds but couldn't connect on a field goal. Fellow Australian Patty Mills received a DNP Coach's Decision.