Say it ain't so: Joe's title quest falls short

• Joe Ingles title hopes fell short in 2024-25 as the Minnesota Timberwolves fell short of the NBA Finals
• Joe Ingles' son watched his father play for the first time in an emotional 134-93 win
• Ingles is out of contract heading into the 2025-26 NBA season

Australian forward Joe Ingles' quest for a NBA title is over — at least for another year after the Minnesota Timberwolves were victims of a gentleman's 4-1 sweep by the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals on Thursday May 29, 2025.

Ingles, 37, didn't play a minute in the NBA Play-offs but was a constant presence as the Wolves eliminated LeBron James and Luka Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers and Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets in the first two rounds.

Ingles is now out of contract heading into the 2025 off-season but his value as a veteran leader in the locker room in a league already dominated by youth and athleticism (see OKC) is an invaluable commodity.

Whether Ingles will be back at the Wolves remains to be seen but the Minnesota franchise needs veteran leadership, and a couple more pieces to compete against the Thunder given OKC is here to stay.

The Numbers Behind the Season

Ingles' 2024-25 regular season statistics paint a picture of a veteran role player carefully managed through the gruelling 82-game schedule:

• Appearances in 19 games (one start)
• 115 total minutes played
• 15 points scored (0.8 points per game)
• 11 total rebounds
• 23 total assists
• 2 steals
• Shooting splits of 26.1% from the field and 20% from three-point range

While these numbers appear modest at first glance, they represent just a fraction of Ingles' contribution to a Timberwolves team that finished with a positive 12-7 record in games where he saw court time.

Early Season Utilisation: Finding His Role

The Timberwolves coaching staff employed a measured approach with Ingles to begin the season. Through October and early November, he appeared in five consecutive games but never exceeded seven minutes of playing time. During this stretch, he accumulated six assists while attempting just two field goals, demonstrating his primary value as a facilitator rather than a scorer.

His assist-to-minute ratio during this early stretch highlighted what made Ingles valuable throughout his career — an elite basketball IQ and passing ability that could immediately impact a game, even in limited minutes.

After this initial five-game stretch, Ingles found himself outside the rotation for several weeks, not appearing in a game between November 2 and 15 November. This pattern of selective utilisation would become the norm throughout the season.

Mid-Season Glimpses: The February Stretch

The most substantial look at Ingles' capabilities came during a notable stretch in February. On February 1, 2025, against Washington, Ingles played a season-high 19 minutes and 30 seconds, scoring 10 points on efficient 4-from-6 shooting, including 2-from-3 from beyond the arc. He added three assists but did commit four turnovers in the narrow 105-103 loss.

This performance seemed to earn him a more consistent role, as he appeared in five of the next seven games, playing double-digit minutes in three of those contests. During a three-game stretch from February 8-13, 2025 against Portland, Cleveland, and Milwaukee, Ingles showcased his versatility:

• Against Portland (8 February): 13 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
• Against Cleveland (10 February): 15 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Against Milwaukee (12 February): 13 minutes, 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

The Milwaukee game highlighted Ingles' value as a ball-mover and decision-maker. His four assists against zero turnovers while grabbing four rebounds demonstrated the all-around game that made him a valuable contributor throughout his career.

The Lone Start: A Veteran's Presence

Perhaps the most interesting footnote to Ingles' season came on March 22, 2025 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite having played sparingly throughout the season, head coach Chris Finch inserted Ingles into the starting lineup for the first and only time — a decision bigger than basketball.

Joe and wife Renae's son Jacob has autism. Jacob watched his first NBA earlier in the week but dad Joe didn't play. Minnesota coach Chris Finch change that a few days later, not only did Joe play, he started.

"It's emotional," Finch said.

"Sometimes, you have to do the human thing. And you always talk about all these minutes matter.

"Those minutes matter for another reason 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 a change of energy.

"It's not often you get to do those types of things, but we're really happy that we could."

Ingles was more than grateful.

"The s---'s real. It doesn't matter who you are or the lifestyle or the money," Ingles said.

"We'll keep doing what we do, the awareness, and we'll keep doing whatever we can to help other families.

"But I think people just need to understand this is a real thing. It doesn't go away with money. It doesn't go away with situations we're in. All we can do is talk about it. And then obviously for us, give Jacob the best chance to fit in in this crazy world that we're in."

Though he played just six minutes and ten seconds without scoring (0-for-3 from the field), the Timberwolves dominated the Pelicans 134-93.

The victory improved Minnesota to 1-0 in games Ingles started—a perfect if limited record as a starter for the season.

The Playoff Run: Supporting from the Sidelines

As the Timberwolves embarked on their playoff journey, Ingles' role shifted to one exclusively off the court. He did not appear in any of Minnesota's 15 playoff games as they made a deep run to the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Despite not seeing court time during the postseason, Ingles' value as a veteran presence remained significant. His experience from previous playoff runs, including his time with the Utah Jazz, provided valuable perspective in a locker room navigating the pressures of championship contention.

The Intangibles: Leadership and Locker Room Presence

While statistics and game logs can tell us when and how often Ingles played, they fail to capture the full extent of his contribution to the Timberwolves' success. As a 10-year NBA veteran with international experience, including representing Australia in the Olympics, Ingles brought a wealth of knowledge and perspective to a relatively young Minnesota roster.

Throughout his career, Ingles has been renowned for his communication skills, both as a vocal leader and as a master of the psychological aspects of the game. His legendary trash-talking abilities and knack for getting under opponents' skin represent competitive advantages that don't appear in traditional box scores.

For young Timberwolves players developing their professional habits and approach to the game, having Ingles as a model of longevity and adaptability provided immeasurable value. His career transformation from a player cut by the Los Angeles Clippers before ever playing a regular season game to becoming a crucial rotation piece for playoff teams serves as an inspiration to players fighting for their place in the league.

Efficiency and Ball Movement: The Ingles Effect

Despite limited playing time, certain aspects of Ingles' game remained consistent with his career patterns. His assist-to-minute ratio remained impressive, averaging approximately one assist every five minutes played. This facilitation helped maintain the Timberwolves' offensive flow when he entered games.

His shooting efficiency, however, declined from his career norms. The 26.1% field goal percentage and 20% three-point shooting marked significant drops from his career averages. This decline might be attributed to the challenges of finding rhythm with inconsistent playing time and the natural effects of age on a 37-year-old player.

Nevertheless, the Timberwolves' positive record in games where Ingles appeared suggests his overall impact remained constructive, even as his shooting percentages dipped.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for Jingles?

At 37 years old with diminishing playing time, questions naturally arise about Ingles' future in the NBA. The 2024-25 season showed both his continued value as a veteran presence and the reality of reduced on-court production.

Should Ingles continue his playing career, his role would likely remain similar — a veteran leader who can provide spot minutes while primarily contributing through mentorship and locker room leadership. Alternatively, his basketball IQ and communication skills make him an excellent candidate for coaching or front office positions once his playing days conclude.

Whether on the court, the bench, or eventually in a suit, Joe Ingles' basketball journey continues to demonstrate the value of intelligence, adaptability, and professionalism at the highest levels of the sport.