OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun publicly apologized for directing a gender-based insult at official Jenna Reneau during a loss Wednesday night to the Boston Celtics.
Sengun was upset about non-call on a drive while the Rockets were on their way to a 114-93 home loss. He took his frustrations out on her, used the insult word multiple times and was ejected. He addressed the incident Saturday after having his 10th career triple-double in a 112-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, saying said he went to her immediately after that game to apologize.
“Sometimes, you can’t control yourself, but I should have known better,” he said. “But I fixed it, and then I went to the locker room and I apologized. I shake (her) hand and said that would never happen again. It just happened in the heat of the moment and she understood, and it was good by both ends.”
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
PHOENIX (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 33 points, Tyrese Maxey added 29 and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the cold-shooting Phoenix Suns 109-103 on Saturday night.
The 76ers have won six of their last seven games, bouncing back from a 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Suns lost for the third time in four games, shooting just 11 of 46 (23.9%) from 3-point range.
Philadelphia led 81-71 going into the fourth quarter and pushed its advantage to 16 after holding Phoenix scoreless for the first three minutes of the fourth.
The Suns made things interesting in the final minutes, cutting it to 101-97 with 1:04 left on Devin Booker's two free throws, but Maxey responded with a stepback 3-pointer to keep the 76ers ahead.
Embiid grabbed nine rebounds, made four 3-pointers and was 11 of 13 on free throws, all while jawing for much of the game with Suns forward Dillon Brooks. Formr Sun Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 18 points.
The Suns couldn't get the win despite Booker and Jalen Green returning to the lineup. Booker — who will play in his fifth All-Star game next week — missed seven games with a sprained ankle. He finished with 21 points and nine assists.
Green has been battling injuries all season and played in just his sixth game. He finished with eight points, playing 17 minutes while coming off the bench.
Brooks led the Suns with 28 points. Royce O'Neale had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Mark Williams had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The 76ers led 58-47 at halftime. The Suns had a brutal shooting start, making just 1 of 19 from 3-point range through 1 1/2 quarters before hitting three in a row.
76ers: At Portland on Monday night.
Suns: Host Dallas on Tuesday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, front, as Suns center Mark Williams (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott, right, slaps hands with Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale celebrates his 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) is fouled prior to the shot by Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) as Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea, left, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, left, keeps the ball away from Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
