Starting power forward Nikola Mirotic will miss Thursday's season opener and be sidelined indefinitely after getting punched in the face by Bobby Portis during a practice altercation, a source said.
One source said Mirotic suffered two broken bones in his face and was evaluated for a concussion at the hospital. He has since been released.
The Bulls were planning a statement to address the incident, which likely will involve discipline for Portis.
With Mirotic out up to three weeks, it's uncertain how coach Fred Hoiberg will handle his lineup. One possibility would be to start rookie Lauri Markkanen.
Regardless, the incident puts a serious damper on what the Bulls had called a fresh start with their full rebuild following the trade of Jimmy Butler.
