Joe Ingles trends number one on Twitter after NBA playoff dominance

Unlikely Australian basketball hero Joe Ingles took the United States by storm on Monday and sent its social media into meltdown after a dominant display in the NBA playoffs. 

The Utah Jazz forward was the highest trending term on Twitter in the US after he stunned basketball fans by upstaging Oklahoma City Thunder stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

He helped ease his side to a commanding 17-point victory and 3-1 series lead, while visibly agitating George in a series of feisty confrontations. 

Joe Ingles (pictured) sent US social media into meltdown on Monday night after a dominant display in the NBA playoffs

The Utah Jazz forward (right) was the highest trending term on Twitter in the US after he stunned basketball fans by upstaging Oklahoma City Thunder stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook (left)

The Utah Jazz forward (right) was the highest trending term on Twitter in the US after he stunned basketball fans by upstaging Oklahoma City Thunder stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook (left)

He helped ease his side to a commanding 17-point victory and 3-1 series lead, while visibly agitating George (left) in a series of feisty confrontations

He helped ease his side to a commanding 17-point victory and 3-1 series lead, while visibly agitating George (left) in a series of feisty confrontations

George scored 32-points but appeared frustrated by Ingles’ physical defending and constant verbal barbs. 

‘Joe Ingles just bought a summer home in Paul George’s head,’ one fan wrote to Twitter.

Another said: ‘Joe Ingles has gone straight heel, what is going on?’  

Ingles also sunk five three-pointers on his way to a 20-point game and Utah’s third consecutive win in the the best-of-seven playoff, which continues Wednesday night local time. 

Meanwhile, other fans took to social media to express their shock over Ingles’ unlikely dominance.

‘Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony just got worked two straight games by Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles. What a time to be alive,’ one person wrote.

'Joe Ingles just bought a summer home in Paul George's head,' one fan wrote to Twitter

‘Joe Ingles just bought a summer home in Paul George’s head,’ one fan wrote to Twitter

'Joe Ingles is actually so good despite him being a math teacher,' another wrote

‘Joe Ingles is actually so good despite him being a math teacher,’ another wrote

Ingles sent social media intro a frenzy following his performance in the NBA playoffs on Monday

Ingles sent social media intro a frenzy following his performance in the NBA playoffs on Monday

Another posted: ‘The Lakers are seeing their prized free agent trolled by Joe Ingles. Enjoy that, LA.’

‘Joe Ingles is actually so good despite him being a math teacher,’ another wrote. 

Ingles later spoke with NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal – who attempted an Australian accent – and Charles Barkley, who was once involved in a heated battle with Australia’s Shane Heal.

‘Lucky he walked the other way,’ Ingles joked to Barkley, News.com.au reported. 

He added that he refuses to walk away from his ongoing battle with George, which will resume on Wednesday.    

Other fans took to social media to express their shock over Ingles' unlikely dominance

Other fans took to social media to express their shock over Ingles’ unlikely dominance

'The Lakers are seeing their prized free agent trolled by Joe Ingles. Enjoy that, LA,' one person posted

‘The Lakers are seeing their prized free agent trolled by Joe Ingles. Enjoy that, LA,’ one person posted

'Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony just got worked two straight games by Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles. What a time to be alive,' another person wrote

‘Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony just got worked two straight games by Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles. What a time to be alive,’ another person wrote

Ingles said (right) he refuses to walk away from his ongoing battle with George, which will resume on Wednesday

Ingles said (right) he refuses to walk away from his ongoing battle with George, which will resume on Wednesday

‘He’s a really good player and I’ve got my work cut out for me each night defending him,’ Ingles said.

‘I’m not going to back down. I’m going to compete and from 1-15 we’re going to have a crack.’   

Shutting down the Utah Jazz offense has proven easier said than done for the Oklahoma City Thunder this series.

For a second straight game, a late second-quarter surge by Utah carried over into the second half and it allowed the Jazz to pull away for a 113-96 victory.

The Jazz used a 20-3 run spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third to break open the game.

For a second straight game, a late second-quarter surge by Utah carried over into the second half and it allowed the Jazz to pull away for a 113-96 victory

For a second straight game, a late second-quarter surge by Utah carried over into the second half and it allowed the Jazz to pull away for a 113-96 victory

The Jazz used a 20-3 run spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third to break open the game. Ingles (pictured) scored five three-pointers

The Jazz used a 20-3 run spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third to break open the game. Ingles (pictured) scored five three-pointers



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