Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic accepts Bobby Portis’ apology
By Morgan Dunn
Nikola Mirotic has accepted the apology of teammate Bobby Portis following an altercation last month.
Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic told reporters Wednesday that he’s accepted the apology of teammate Bobby Portis. The two players were involved in an altercation during a practice last month, which led to Portis punching Mirotic. Mirotic landed in the hospital with facial fractures and was looking to be traded following the incident.
Reports indicated that Portis threw a cheap shot at his teammate, and he subsequently apologized for his actions. Mirotic initially refused to accept Portis’ apology, but it appears that time has healed that wound. Portis was suspended for the first eight games of the 2017-18 season and has since returned to the Chicago lineup.
While it’s a good sign for the Bulls that the two have apparently settled their differences, some of Mirotic’s comments on Wednesday suggested that the two have not hashed it out in person as of yet. Via ESPN’s Nick Friedell:
Mirotic said he accepted Portis' apology. Does Portis know that? "I guess he will know now." https://t.co/QoqzL8zx3u
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 29, 2017
That quote certainly casts doubt on the two players coming to an understanding, but it should still be enough for the pair to put their differences aside and resume their relationship as teammates. Mirotic and Portis don’t have to be best friends for the Bulls to finally move on from this incident. Mirotic avoided answering direct questions about any kind of sit-down or personal interaction between the two, according to Friedell.
Next: Worst NBA Finals Starters of All-Time
The Bulls currently have the worst record in the NBA (3-16), as the team is in the midst of rebuilding their roster following the offseason trade of Jimmy Butler. Portis is averaging 12.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game through his first 11 tilts of the season.
Mirotic is yet to play in a regular season contest due to the injury suffered at the hands of Portis, but he could be available to see court time as soon as Monday. Mirotic signed a two-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago this past offseason.