Bobby Portis said he still has had no direct contact with Nikola Mirotic, doesn't need to hear from Mirotic that Mirotic accepted his apology and is focused on what he always has been focused on since serving an eight-game suspension for punching Mirotic in the face on Oct. 17.
"I just want to play ball, man," Portis said.
As for now _ and more than likely for the long term _ the language of basketball will have to suffice between Mirotic and Portis. When Mirotic told reporters that he accepted Portis' apology on Wednesday in his first public comments since Portis concussed him and broke two bones in his face, Mirotic was asked if he had told Portis that directly or if Portis knew.
"I guess he will know now," Mirotic said.
That's fine with Portis, who said he has no problem sharing a locker room with Mirotic moving forward.
"Why couldn't I?" Portis said. "We're teammates. We're both trying to help this team win as much as possible. Some teammates don't jell off the court, but on the court they have to make ends meet for the team needs. If that's what we have to do, that's what we have to do."
Mirotic, who previously told management he didn't want to play with Portis moving forward, can't be traded until Jan. 15. Management has said it won't make a trade simply to appease a player and would only do so if it benefits the franchise.
Ultimately, with the market limited to nonexistent for each, the simple passage of time could win out. Their co-existing on the court and not communicating off it will likely be the new norm.
Also: Don't be surprised to see Portis and Mirotic play together off the bench once Mirotic is activated. Cristiano Felicio has struggled this season and would be odd man out in that scenario.
"It doesn't matter either way," Portis said, when asked if he needs to hear from Mirotic directly that Mirotic accepted his apology. "I just want to compete and make my team better day by day. I've been playing good so far this season and want to keep it rolling. No distractions needed. Just trying to lock in game by game and get better.
"I feel like my summer's work helped me grow as a player. This is just another step in my career, me having to fight through some adversity to try to be a good player I guess."
