The Timberwolves chief coach of the Minnesota, Chris Finch, gave Joe English a time to remember during the victory of the 134-93 team over the New Orleans movie at the Target Center on Friday.
English, 37, was in the initial alignment for the first time in three years, and it was not because Finch was looking to wake up the team.
The English family was in the city for the game, since they live in Orlando. English has three children with his wife Renae, and one of his children, Jacob, eight years old, is autistic.
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The Guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves Joe English (7) is heated before a match against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025. (Images Jason Parkhurst-Imagn)
In Orlando, Jacob goes to a school he loves and a home that provides a safe shelter, according to Atlético.
For the first time, Jacob was able to sit through an NBA game from beginning to end. Jacob had never been able to sit before a game, because the sensory overload of being in an NBA sand.
During the Timberwolves game against Utah jazz on Sunday, Renae and his children retired to the family hall for part time. Jacob told his mother that once he entered the room, he didn’t want to miss anything about the action.
“Have the timer and look at the clock so as not to lose the second of the action,” Jacob told his mother, Atlético said.
Renae could not believe what he heard, reviewing him twice to make sure he was serious. But Jacob was firm. I wanted to see the second half.
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Joe English, #7 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, observes during the game against the New Orleans pelicans on March 21, 2025, in Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE through Getty Images)
“Why? I can play playstation at home. I’m here to see my dad,” Jacob said.
The only problem for the English family was that Joe did not end up playing in that game on Sunday.
Finch heard that Jacob had overcome a complete NBA game, and wanted to give the English family the opportunity to see Joe play in his last game in Minnesota before returning to Orlando.
Then, Finch inserted Joe into the initial alignment to make sure Jacob saw his father play.
“Sometimes you have to do the human. We always talk about how all these minutes matter, and (English”) the minutes matter for another reason, “said Finch.
When Finch called Joe to his office to tell him the plan he was starting, he was surprised by surprise.
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The Guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards (5) and the Joe English Guard (7) speak during a free kick against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter in the Target Center on February 12, 2025. (Brad Subpel-Imagn Images)
“Is it sure?” English asked.
The game was of great importance for the Timberwolves, since they are fighting for the important seed number 6 to avoid having to play in the game tournament.
Indeed, English began. He did not play well, going 0-3 shooting in just six minutes, but that did not care about the English family.
“Tonight was a night of milestones for our family, and I just had to share! I didn’t publicly publish much content of the NBA, but this moment was too special to keep myself,” Renae published on Instagram.
“For the first time, Jacob beat a complete NBA game, in the stands encouraging his parents’ team!”
“Seeing him soak at all times, I could not avoid breaking with pride. 6 years of hard work, dedication and perseverance have passed to reach this point, and here we are, at the top of this incredible achievement.”
The Timberwolves Guard of the Minnesota, Joe English (7), Dribla against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter in the Target Center on February 8, 2025. (Matt Blewett-Imagn images)
“Feeling incredibly grateful for this trip and all the support we have had at all times.”
“This is what Joe said,” I will remember forever. “
The Timberwolves achieved victory on Friday night, but most importantly, the English family left with a memory that will last a lifetime.
