Mirotic accepts Portis' apology, pledges to 'make it work'

Nikola Mirotic is ready to move on.

A month and a half removed from a violent altercation with teammate Bobby Portis during a Chicago Bulls practice that left Mirotic with facial fractures and a concussion, the Montenegrin-born forward told reporters Wednesday he's aiming to leave the incident in the past for the betterment of the squad.

"Bobby and me, and the team, we're doing what we're supposed to do and being professional. ... We are teammates," he said. "We're fighting for this team. We're going to do what we need to do to make it work."

Mirotic has missed all 19 games this season due to the injuries sustained in the fight, but returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since. He added that he accepts Portis' apology for the incident, though his response suggested the two have yet to formally speak.

"I guess he will know now," Mirotic said, according to Josh Frydman of CLTV Sportsfeed.

The pair have interacted on the court, however.

During Tuesday's 104-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the two were seen bumping fists as Mirotic sat on the bench, leading some to believe the conflict had been resolved.

Mirotic addressed the photo and chalked it up to simple professionalism, though the end of his answer may not have come across quite as intended.

"I was always a good teammate, always professional with everybody. And I'm going to continue to do that," he said, according to The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry. "And if I'm here, it's because I want to support the team.

"I'm going to support him, too. And I'm obviously going to give him the hands like he would give hands to me, too."