WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- The Chicago Bulls Wednesday suspended forward Bobby Portis for eight games for punching teammate Nikola Mirotic during an altercation that left Mirotic with facial fractures and a concussion.

Mirotic is expected to miss at least four to six weeks.

John Paxson, the Bulls' vice president of basketball operations, acknowledged that both players' tempers escalated during practice Tuesday.

"Both players owned responsibility in the incident itself," Paxson said Wednesday. "But only one player threw a punch. And that punch is inexcusable. It's not who we are. It disappoints us in terms of what happened, and because of that we're going to suspend Bobby for eight games."

The incident is a blow to a Bulls franchise in the midst of a rebuild. Mirotic was expected to start in coach Fred Hoiberg's revamped lineup, having beaten out Portis. Now, rookie Lauri Markkanen will get his first career start during the season opener Thursday against the Toronto Raptors.

"Bobby Portis is not a bad person," Paxson said. "He's a good kid. He's a competitive kid, but in this instance he made a mistake. And as we all know when you make mistakes you got to suffer the consequences."

Mirotic and Portis have spent two full seasons competing against one another for playing time.

【体坛英语资讯：Bulls suspend Portis for punching teammate in practice】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas EAFC title hopes dashed after losing to Japan 1-0

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jamie Lynn Spears says shes pregnant

★ 体坛资讯：China exits AFC Asian Cup

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Greys Anatomy actress Heigl marries in Utah

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jury: Playboy model Nicoles son dies of drug overdose

★ 体坛英语资讯：Tennis ace Peng ready for prime time

★ 体坛资讯：Henry to sign for Barca, club sources

★ 体坛英语资讯：Lakers head for record 29th NBA Finals

★ 体坛英语资讯：Ronaldos season over - report

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Victoria Beckhams sweet surprise for husband David