Joe Ingles is again enjoying within the NBA.
The Australian’s skilled basketball profession was up within the air in January when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
Watch a median of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season video games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
But Ingles underwent surgical procedure and signed a one yr A$9.7 million cope with the Milwaukee Bucks, maintaining his NBA dream alive.
And on Tuesday (AEDT), the 35-year-old made his return to the NBA within the Bucks’ 128-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ingles turned the oldest Australian to play within the NBA within the course of.
Coming off the bench late within the first quarter, Ingles quickly produced a spotlight play when he lobbed a cross to Milwaukee’s foremost man Giannis Antetokounmpo, who completed it off with a layup.
It was paying homage to Ingles’ partnership with Rudy Gobert throughout their time on the Utah Jazz and the play was a welcome sight for Australian NBA followers.
In his first NBA sport since January thirtieth earlier this yr, Ingles additionally got here up towards New Orleans’ Australian rookie Dyson Daniels.
Ingles didn’t rating a degree and completed with only one rebound and two assists from quarter-hour, however he was simply completely satisfied to be on the court docket.
“It was honestly just nice to be out and there and get a couple reps in,” he stated.
“Just obviously nice to be out there with the guys and finally see what I hoped for when I signed.”
Ingles has joined one of many NBA’s title contenders within the Bucks, who’re aiming for an additional championship after their droughtbreaking triumph in 2020.
Milwaukee at present has the most effective report within the NBA and if all goes effectively, Ingles may be a part of Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Andrew Bogut because the seventh Australian to win an NBA championship.