Bobby Portis: Chicago Bulls forward banned for eight games for punching Nikola Mirotic

Portis (right) averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in 64 games last season

Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis has been suspended for eight games for breaking team-mate Nikola Mirotic's jaw when he punched him during practice.

Spaniard Mirotic, 26, will miss four to six weeks after suffering upper jaw fractures and a concussion during Tuesday's altercation.

"Both players were involved but only one player threw a punch," said Bulls vice-president John Paxson.

"Portis is a good kid, but in this instance, he made a mistake."

Chicago's first game of the new NBA season is against Toronto Raptors on Thursday.

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