CHICAGO _ Speaking publicly for the first time since Bobby Portis broke two of his facial bones and concussed him with a punch in an Oct. 17 practice, Nikola Mirotic said he accepts Portis' apology and wants to focus on remaining professional moving forward.
But in a nod to how precarious the situation remains, Mirotic said this when asked if Portis knows he has accepted the apology or if Mirotic just did so in answer to a reporter's question:
"I guess he will know now," Mirotic said Wednesday at the Advocate Center.
Mirotic also declined comment when asked for his reaction to the length of Portis' eight-game suspension. But he otherwise took the high road and expressed optimism for trying to salvage a lost season to this point, which included the loss of his starting job to rookie Lauri Markkanen.
"I've been playing this game nine years professionally. I was always a good teammate, always professional to everybody, and I'm going to continue to do that," Mirotic said. "If I'm here, it's because I want to support the team. He's a part of the team. I'm going to support him too. Obviously, I'm going to give him hands like he's going to give me hands too."
The "give him hands" reference was in response to a question of a Tribune photo of Mirotic fist-bumping Portis as he left the court Tuesday night, not more physical issues between the two. Mirotic said the two have competed in practice this week without incident.
"Bobby and me and all the team is doing what we're supposed to do, being professional," Mirotic said. "I think so far we're doing good. We're in a good way."
Mirotic said he appreciated the support from teammates, coaches, management and ownership but wouldn't comment when asked what he thought of management making clear he played an aggressive role in the incident leading up to Portis' punch.
"They were just worried about me and my health. That's all," Mirotic said. "We didn't talk about any details. When I talked to (President) Michael (Reinsdorf) and (executive vice president) John (Paxson) and (general manager) Gar (Forman), they just had that support to see if my family or me needs anything. That's all.
"I feel that support. After what happened, (coach) Fred (Hoiberg) came to the hospital with (associate head coach) Jim Boylen. Gar was calling. Everybody was worried about me. So I did feel support and I appreciated that from the front office. Now their goal is to make me get back in the game. I'm working on that."
Mirotic said he needs to regain timing and conditioning before he's active. With his facial fractures healed, he doesn't plan to wear a mask upon his return.
Multiple outlets, including the Tribune, reported that Mirotic's camp conveyed to management that he doesn't want to share a locker room with Portis moving forward. Mirotic, who can't be traded until Jan. 15, asked if he still feels that way.
"I don't know about it. I just know that right now the only goal _ Bulls' goal and my goal _ is to make me get back with the team and practice together and get my strength back and as soon as I can, play with the team," he said. "I'm really excited to be back ... and everybody is trying to help me feel comfortable."
