The incident involving Sengun occurred on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, with the Rockets posting a message from Kevin Durant, external to mark the occasion.

“Sometimes, you can’t control yourself, but I should have known better,” added Sengun, who was speaking after registering a triple double of 17 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a 112-106 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

“But I fixed it, and then I went to the locker room and I apologised. I shake [her] hand and said that would never happen again.

“It just happened in the heat of the moment. Then, she understood, and it was good on both ends.”