It was going to be a difficult season in Chicago if everything went right — and two days before the first game of the season things have gone horribly wrong.
Bulls’ starting forward Nikola Mirotic got into a shoving match with Bobby Portis, and Portis turned and sucker-punched him, according to multiple reports.
The Bulls have confirmed the fight and have announced Mirotic suffered a concussion and maxillary fractures in his face — the upper jaw and nasal cavity area — which likely will require surgery. He is going to miss weeks of time.
Apparently there was some pushing and shoving and Mirotic was punched by Portis. Mirotic is being evaluated for a concussion
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 17, 2017
Re: Mirotic-Portis altercation, it was two guys fighting for position that turned into altercation, I'm told.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) October 17, 2017
Shams Charania of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports had more details.
Mirotic will miss weeks, according to a source, and you can be sure severe discipline from the team is coming down for Portis.
In the short term, this likely means more run for rookie Lauri Markkanen as well as just re-signed Cristiano Felicio.
