Alperen Sengun apologizes for inappropriate comment directed at female official.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun expressed regret for repeatedly referring to a female referee as “a b—-” earlier this week, stating that he offered an apology right after the game.

The incident, which led to Sengun’s ejection during Wednesday’s 114-93 defeat to the Boston Celtics, gained significant attention online in the subsequent days, with enhanced audio clarifying his remark directed at Jenna Reneau.

“That was immature on my part,” Sengun remarked, publicly addressing the situation for the first time following the Rockets’ 112-106 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. “It was just a momentary reaction, and I said things I shouldn’t have, but I felt remorseful about it.”

Sengun was ejected after disputing a no-call on his drive to the basket midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Celtics. Houston was down by 25 points at that moment, and Sengun admitted that he directed his frustrations toward Reneau, who is in her inaugural season as an NBA official.

Sengun, who recorded his second triple-double of the season on Sunday with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in the victory over the Thunder, mentioned that he went to the officials’ locker room right after the loss on Wednesday to apologize to Reneau.

“At times, you can’t manage your emotions, but I should have acted more appropriately,” Sengun stated. “However, I addressed it and then went to the locker room to apologize. I shook [her] hand and assured her that it would not occur again. It was simply a reaction in the heat of the moment. She understood, and it was positive for both sides.”