Nikola Mirotić Stajović (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Миротић; born 11 February 1991) is a Montenegrin-Spanish professional basketball player for Olimpia Milano of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. The power forward[1][2] is a four-time All-EuroLeague Team member, and previously played for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB. Mirotić was drafted with the 23rd pick in the 2011 NBA draft, and played in the NBA from 2014 for the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks, before returning to Spain in the 2019 offseason.

Nikola Mirotić
Mirotić with Barcelona in 2022
No. 33 – Olimpia Milano
PositionPower forward
LeagueLega Basket Serie A
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1991-02-11) 11 February 1991 (age 33)
Podgorica, SR Montenegro,
SFR Yugoslavia
NationalitySpanish
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2011: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career2008–present
Career history
2008–2014Real Madrid
2009–2010Palencia
20142018Chicago Bulls
20182019New Orleans Pelicans
2019Milwaukee Bucks
2019–2023FC Barcelona
2023–presentOlimpia Milano
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Spain

Early life

edit

Growing up in Montenegro, football was Mirotić's true passion. As he got older, his family realized his height could be a lot more useful for another sport. At the age of 13, his grandfather introduced him to basketball.[3] Mirotić started playing basketball with the Joker School in Podgorica[4] run by retired professional basketball player Jadran Vujačić.

In the summer of 2005, at the age of 14, Mirotić signed a junior contract with Real Madrid.

Professional career

edit

Real Madrid (2008–2014)

edit

After playing for the Real Madrid juniors from 2006 to 2008, Mirotić signed with the Real Madrid senior team in 2008. During the 2010–11 Euroleague season, he emerged as one of his team's most valuable players, and won the EuroLeague Rising Star award.[5] In April 2011, he signed a five-year contract extension with Real Madrid.[6] With Real Madrid, he won the Spanish King's Cup and the Spanish Supercup in 2012.

 
Mirotić with Real Madrid in 2013

On 23 June 2011, Mirotić was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and again to the Chicago Bulls on draft night.[7]

In the 2012–13 Euroleague season, he finished second in the EuroLeague Rising Star voting to Kostas Papanikolaou,[8] and he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team.[9] In May 2014, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team, for the second consecutive season.[10]

In a total of 97 EuroLeague games for Real Madrid, Mirotić averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.[11]

Chicago Bulls (2014–2018)

edit

2014–15 season

edit

On 18 July 2014, Mirotić signed with the Chicago Bulls[12] to a reported three-year, $16.6 million contract.[13] In addition, Mirotić was required to pay $3 million to Real Madrid for his contract buyout.[14]

On 19 December 2014, Mirotić scored a then career-high 27 points, as he converted all six of his three-pointers, in a 103–97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[15] On 5 January 2015, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in December.[16] During the NBA's All-Star Weekend, Mirotić played for World Team in the Rising Stars Challenge. He scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field in the World's 121–112 win over Team USA.[17] On 1 March, he scored a career-high 29 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.[18] With injuries impacting teammates during the month of March, Mirotić was expected to fill a larger role for his team. He averaged 20.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while playing 30.8 minutes per game.[19][20] In his rookie season, Mirotić averaged 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 82 games,[21] giving him the recognition as a candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award.[22] Mirotić finished second in Rookie of the Year voting with 335 votes behind Andrew Wiggins who received 604 votes.[23] He played his first post-season game in the NBA on 18 April 2015 in game 1 of the Bulls' first-round series match-up against the Milwaukee Bucks. In 13 minutes off the bench, he recorded 5 points and 5 rebounds.[24]

2015–16 season

edit

At the beginning of the 2015–16 season, Mirotić had a starting role ahead of All-Star center Joakim Noah. He scored a team-high 19 points in the season opening win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[25] He started in all 18 games to begin the season, coming off the bench for the first time on 9 December against the Boston Celtics, scoring 10 points in 22 minutes of action.[26] He continued coming off the bench following 9 December, in a back-up role to Taj Gibson.[27] His next start came on 21 December against the Brooklyn Nets, as he started at small forward in place of Tony Snell.[28] On 1 January, he recorded 17 points and a career-high seven assists in a 108–81 win over the New York Knicks.[29] On 27 January, he was diagnosed with an acute appendicitis and was subsequently ruled out until after the All-Star break.[30] He returned to action on 5 March against the Houston Rockets after missing 16 games.[31] On 23 March, he scored a career-high 35 points in a loss to the New York Knicks.[32]

2016–17 season

edit

On 26 December 2016, less than two weeks after falling out of the rotation for a couple of games, Mirotić recorded a then-season-high 20 points in a 90–85 win over the Indiana Pacers.[33] After not playing by coach's decision in two straight games in early March so that management and the coaching staff could look at Joffrey Lauvergne, Mirotić landed on the inactive list.[34] On 13 March, he returned from a three-game absence and scored 24 points on five three-pointers in a 115–109 win over the Charlotte Hornets.[35] On 22 March, he scored a season-high 28 points in a 117–95 win over the Detroit Pistons.[36] Four days later, he tied his season high with another 28-point effort in a 109–94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[37] He had a third 28-point game on 30 March in a 99–93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had six three-pointers against both Milwaukee and Cleveland, becoming the first Bulls player to hit six or more three-pointers in back-to-back games.[38]

2017–18 season

edit

On 25 September 2017, Mirotić re-signed with the Bulls.[39] On 17 October 2017, Mirotić was sent to the hospital after engaging in a physical altercation with teammate Bobby Portis during practice. Portis punched Mirotić in the face resulting in Mirotić suffering a concussion and multiple facial fractures.[40][41] Mirotić made his season debut on 8 December, scoring six points in 14 minutes in a 119–111 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets.[42] On 11 December, he scored 24 points in his first start of the season in a 108–85 win over the Boston Celtics. He hit 9 of 14 shots and grabbed eight rebounds in his third appearance.[43] On 13 December, he scored 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting with nine rebounds in a 103–100 win over the Utah Jazz.[44] On 26 December, he came off the bench to score 24 points in 28 minutes, as the Bulls won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 115–106.[45]

New Orleans Pelicans (2018–2019)

edit

On 1 February 2018, Mirotić was traded, along with a 2018 second-round pick, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Ömer Aşık, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, a 2018 first-round pick and the right to swap 2021 second-round picks with the Pelicans.[46] He made his debut for the Pelicans two days later, scoring 18 points in a 118–107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[47] On 10 February, he recorded 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 138–128 double-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets.[48] On 6 April, he scored a season-high 31 points and tied a season best with 16 rebounds in a 122–103 win over the Phoenix Suns.[49] Three days later, he recorded 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 113–100 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, helping the Pelicans clinch a playoff spot.[50] In game 1 of the Pelicans' first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Mirotić recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a 97–95 win.[51] In game 3, Mirotić scored a career playoff-best 30 points, as the Pelicans beat the Trail Blazers 119–102 to take a 3–0 lead in the series.[52]

In the Pelicans' season opener on 17 October 2018, Mirotić scored 30 points on 6 of 8 from 3-point range in a 131–112 win over the Houston Rockets.[53] Two days later, he scored a career-high 36 points in a 149–129 win over the Sacramento Kings.[54][55] On 5 November, he had 16 points and matched a career high with 16 rebounds in a 122–116 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[56] On 9 January, he returned to action against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing 12 games due to an ankle injury.[57]

Milwaukee Bucks (2019)

edit

On 7 February 2019, Mirotić was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade involving Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson and Thon Maker.[58] He missed the first four games with the Bucks upon being acquired with a calf injury, making his debut on 21 February against the Boston Celtics.[59] He missed the final 11 regular-season games after suffering a fractured left thumb against the Los Angeles Lakers on 19 March.[60][61][62] He made his return in the Bucks' opening game of the playoffs.[63]

Barcelona (2019–2023)

edit
 
Mirotić with FC Barcelona in 2022

2019–20 season

edit

On 6 July 2019, Mirotić signed a three-year deal, with the option of an extension through to 2023, with FC Barcelona of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague.[64] According to sources, Mirotić's contract was worth 26 million, making him the highest-paid basketball player in Europe.[65] On 27 June 2020, Mirotic was awarded the league's Most Valuable Player award. He became the fifth player in Liga Endesa history to have multiple MVP awards, joining Darryl Middleton, Arvydas Sabonis, Luis Scola and Felipe Reyes.[66] Mirotić finished the season averaging 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He extended his contract until 2025 on 25 September 2020.[67]

2021–22 season

edit

In the 2021–22 season, he won his first EuroLeague MVP award, becoming the first Barcelona player to win the award in 14 years.[68]

2022–23 season

edit

On 22 July 2022, Mirotić suffered an Achilles injury that ruled him out for the beginning of the 2022–23 season.[69]

On 1 December 2022, Mirotić made his season debut against Alba Berlin, finishing the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in an 88–86 win.[70]

On 15 May 2023, Mirotić was named into the All-EuroLeague Second Team alongside Mike James from AS Monaco Basket, Kevin Punter from KK Partizan, Darius Thompson from Saski Baskonia, and Wade Baldwin IV from Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C..[71]

On 19 May 2023, Mirotić and FC Barcelona Bàsquet failed to win the EuroLeague despite reaching the third Final Four in a row. Barcelona lost in the semifinal against Real Madrid Baloncesto 66–78.[72]

Mirotić finished the game with 3 points (1/10 FG, 1/2 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers. He took the responsibility after the game. "I congratulate Real Madrid, they played a great game," Mirotic said. "I take a large part of the responsibility for us losing this game. I haven't been at the level expected of me, I haven't been able to help the team. I feel very bad. I say to our fans that I'm sorry, thank you for supporting us and for coming here."[73]

On 20 July 2023, FC Barcelona Bàsquet officially announced that the club is unilaterally terminating Mirotić's contract. Mirotić still had two years left in his contract, but he became a free agent.[74]

2023 free agency

edit

On 28 June 2023, Olimpia Milano head coach Ettore Messina said that Milan can't compete with the likes of Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Barcelona, or Real Madrid in the race to sign Mirotić, essentially denying a previous report about a deal between the two sides.[75]

On 9 July 2023, reports in the Greek media emerged stating that Panathinaikos entered the race for Mirotić's signature, offering a two-year €8 million contract.[76]

However, on 23 July 2023, Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos denied the rumors about the interest in Mirotić. "I looked at my iPad, and there are 10,000 messages," Giannakopoulos said on Saturday via his Instagram. "Now, even our plane is being watched, it is said that we went to Serbia to make a deal with [Nikola] Mirotić. No, we were at The Weeknd concert."[77]

On 16 July 2023, the Serbian media reported that Mirotić landed in Belgrade to finalize an agreement with Partizan. Partizan head coach Željko Obradović reportedly had the biggest influence on Mirotić's decision to join the Serbian powerhouse.[78]

On 22 July 2023, two days after officially parting ways with Barcelona, Mirotić stated that he wouldn't join Partizan due to insults and threats he received after news of his continuation in Obradović's team was published.[79] Hours after the player's statement, Partizan responded by releasing a statement of their own, claiming that Mirotić's decision had nothing to do with the supposed threats. "The club publicly calls on Nikola Mirotić, out of his commitment to the truth, and he is a man who fights for the truth, to say who the people who threatened him are. The club's wish and plan was to build the team around the players who are currently under contract and Mirotić himself, but now that plan will have to be corrected. KK Partizan Mozzart Bet firmly believes that the reasons for not signing the contract by Nikola Mirotić have nothing to do with any threats but with some other things that the public will be able to see for themselves in the days ahead," Partizan wrote in the statement.[80]

On 5 October 2023, Partizan head coach Željko Obradović claimed Mirotić received pressure from unnamed politicians and church members after his decision to join the Serbian powerhouse.

"I will tell you exactly as he told me. He didn't mention any names, but he told me he received calls from politicians and the church. Nikola did not reveal any names, but he told me it was about people from politics and the church. I know that much. He can confirm that," Obradović said in an interview with news magazine Nedeljnik.[81]

However, on 2 November 2023, Mirotić denied the claims and rumors about being influenced by the Serbian Orthodox Church not to join Partizan.

"Wanting to debunk the slander that seeks to harm our Holy Church and its Patriarch, I have the need to state that I have not yet had the honor to meet His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije nor to communicate with him, directly or indirectly," Mirotić wrote in a post on Instagram.[82]

Olimpia Milano (2023–present)

edit

2023–24 season

edit

On 3 August 2023, Mirotić signed a two-year deal with Olimpia Milano of the LBA and the EuroLeague.[83]

On 19 October 2023, Mirotić moved to the Top 10 EuroLeague All-Time scoring list. Mirotić scored 3,242nd career point in the EuroLeague game against Real Madrid, overtaking Kyle Hines and Paulius Jankunas.[84]

National team career

edit

Mirotić was a member of the junior national team of Spain. He helped Spain's U20 national team win the bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. He also led Spain to the gold medal in 2011. Mirotić was the top scorer and MVP of the tournament, averaging 27 points (tournament record) and 10 rebounds per game.[85]

In June 2015, Mirotić was named by head coach Sergio Scariolo as one of 17 candidates to try out for the senior Spain men's national basketball team that would play at the EuroBasket 2015.[86] Mirotić made Spain's final 12-man roster, and he went on to win a gold medal at the tournament, in September 2015. He also played with Spain at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal.[87]

On January 19, 2023, Mirotić confirmed he's retiring from the Spanish national team. "I haven't played with them for many years, I've focused a lot on giving my all to the club I'm at. Then in summer, I have many personal things, family, my businesses. And I am at an age, especially after having the injury and everything, in which I don't see myself returning with the national team," Mirotić explained.[88]

Career statistics

edit
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

Regular season

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Chicago 82 3 20.2 .405 .316 .803 4.9 1.2 .7 .7 10.2
2015–16 Chicago 66 38 24.9 .407 .390 .807 5.5 1.5 .9 .7 11.8
2016–17 Chicago 70 15 24.0 .413 .342 .773 5.5 1.1 .8 .8 10.6
2017–18 Chicago 25 3 24.9 .474 .429 .823 6.4 1.6 .6 .5 16.8
New Orleans 30 11 29.1 .427 .335 .810 8.2 1.4 1.0 .9 14.6
2018–19 New Orleans 32 22 28.9 .447 .368 .842 8.3 1.1 .7 .8 16.7
Milwaukee 14 3 22.9 .415 .356 .870 5.4 1.4 .7 .6 11.6
Career 319 95 24.2 .423 .359 .808 5.9 1.3 .8 .7 12.3

Playoffs

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015 Chicago 11 0 14.9 .303 .233 .800 2.7 .8 .5 .5 5.7
2017 Chicago 6 6 27.0 .340 .286 .800 5.0 1.5 .7 .5 8.7
2018 New Orleans 9 9 35.6 .480 .431 .789 9.6 1.7 1.1 1.3 15.0
2019 Milwaukee 14 8 21.3 .376 .289 .821 4.3 .7 .7 .2 9.5
Career 40 23 21.3 .388 .318 .805 5.2 1.1 .8 .6 9.6

EuroLeague

edit
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2008–09 Real Madrid 1 0 2.1 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 -1.0
2010–11 20 0 15.0 .500 .387 .857 3.3 .6 .5 .5 6.6 8.2
2011–12 16 15 23.1 .525 .439 .918* 4.5 .9 .8 .4 12.5 14.6
2012–13 29 25 24.9 .475 .325 .851 5.3 .9 .7 .9 11.4 13.3
2013–14 31* 31* 24.0 .508 .461 .811 4.6 1.2 1.1 .8 12.4 15.9
2019–20 Barcelona 28* 28* 27.8 .483 .331 .869 6.9 1.6 1.1 .3 19.0 22.5
2020–21 33 32 25.8 .533 .413 .848 5.9 1.0 1.2 .5 15.6 19.5
2021–22 38 38* 24.4 .570 .463 .876 5.2 1.4 .9 .3 16.9 20.1*
2022–23 29 29 25.0 .498 .392 .804 4.3 1.2 1.0 .4 15.4 16.4
2023–24 Olimpia Milano 21 17 26.5 .526 .418 .847 5.7 .9 .8 .3 16.9 18.9
Career 246 215 24.3 .515 .402 .851 5.2 1.1 .9 .5 14.4 17.0

Domestic leagues

edit
Denotes season in which Mirotic won the Liga ACB or the Lega Basket Serie A championship
Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09   Real Madrid ACB 5 3.3 .250 .000 .500 0.8
2009–10   Palencia LEB Oro 31 20.2 .441 .346 .573 3.2 .8 .8 .8 8.0
2010–11   Real Madrid ACB 35 16.5 .505 .393 .890 3.5 .7 .6 .4 7.9
2011–12   Real Madrid ACB 42 19.5 .490 .387 .702 4.3 .7 .7 .5 8.9
2012–13   Real Madrid ACB 43 23.4 .503 .417 .794 5.4 .9 1.0 .8 12.2
2013–14   Real Madrid ACB 43 22.6 .506 .350 .793 5.1 1.1 .9 .5 11.6
2019–20   Barcelona ACB 25 25.9 .507 .324 .897 5.2 1.4 1.1 .7 19.0
2020–21   Barcelona ACB 38 21.6 .566 .457 .800 4.9 .8 .9 .7 14.0
2021–22   Barcelona ACB 40 23.8 .524 .411 .830 5.3 .8 .6 .5 15.0
2022–23   Barcelona ACB 32 21.9 .482 .382 .947 4.6 1.4 .6 .3 13.6
2023–24   Olimpia Milano LBA 25 23.5 .475 .402 .887 4.8 .8 .6 .5 15.4

Personal life

edit

Mirotić and his wife, Nina Vujačić, have a son named Aleksandar, who was born in May 2013. His wife is the daughter of his former coach and mentor, Jadran Vujačić, who also played professional basketball with Borac Čačak, KK Partizan and Budućnost Titograd.[89] Even though he represents the Spain national basketball team, he said that he is happy and proud to be Montenegrin.[90][91]

Mirotić is an ethnic Serb and a Serbian Orthodox Christian.[92] He received the Order of St. Sava in May 2017.[93][94] Mirotić has participated in prayer walks and protests in Podgorica against the controversial religious law concerning the Serbian Orthodox Church.[95][96]

Awards and accomplishments

edit

Professional career

edit

Spain national team

edit
Senior
U-20

References

edit
  1. ^ "ACB.com Spanish ACB League official player profile" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  2. ^ "NIKOLA MIROTIC (SPAIN)". Fibaeurope.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  3. ^ How Nikola Mirotic Rose From Soccer Destiny, To European Phenom, To The NBA
  4. ^ Las lecciones aprendidas de Nikola Mirotic y Marko Todorovic (in Spanish)
  5. ^ "Real Madrid's Nikola Mirotic chosen 2011 Rising Star". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Real Madrid extends Mirotic through 2016". Euroleague.net. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  7. ^ "NBA Draft: Nr 1 dla Irvinga, wybrano 10 Europejczyków". PolskiKosz.pl. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  8. ^ Euroleague.net Rising Star Trophy winner: Kostas Papanikolaou, Olympiacos Piraeus.
  9. ^ Euroleague.net 2012-13 All-Euroleague First and Second Teams announced.
  10. ^ "2013-14 All-Euroleague First and Second Teams announced". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  11. ^ MIROTIC, NIKOLA – Euroleague.net
  12. ^ "Bulls sign forward Nikola Mirotic". NBA.com. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Bulls Sign Nikola Mirotic To Three-Year, $16.6M Deal". RealGM.com. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Nikola Mirotic is the best paid European rookie in NBA history". HoopsHype.com. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  15. ^ "Butler, Mirotic lead Bulls over Grizzlies 103-97". NBA.com. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  16. ^ NIKOLA MIROTIC NAMED KIA NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
  17. ^ Mirotic shines among young stars
  18. ^ "Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan lead Clippers past Bulls 96-86". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  19. ^ Nikola Mirotic 2014-15 Game Log
  20. ^ Bulls in thick of East chase thanks to Mirotic's big month
  21. ^ Nikola Mirotic NBA Stats
  22. ^ Andrew Wiggins reportedly set to be named NBA rookie of the year
  23. ^ "Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins wins 2014-15 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  24. ^ Rose scores 23, Bulls beat Bucks 103-91
  25. ^ "With Obama watching, Bulls hold off Cavaliers 97-95". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Thomas carries Boston to 105-100 win over Chicago". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  27. ^ NBA Rumors: A Major Change in Chicago Bulls Roster, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic Affected
  28. ^ Lopez, Young lead Nets to 105-102 victory over Bulls
  29. ^ Butler helps Bulls pull away from Knicks for 108-81 victory
  30. ^ NIKOLA MIROTIC INJURY UPDATE
  31. ^ Nikola Mirotic 2015-16 Game Log
  32. ^ "Porzingis ties career high with 29, Knicks top Bulls 115-107". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  33. ^ "Mirotic, Wade lead Bulls over Pacers 90-85 to snap skid at 3". ESPN.com. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  34. ^ Johnson, K.C. (12 March 2017). "Nikola Mirotic's fall from grace reaches new low with inactive status". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Rondo provides spark as starter, Bulls top Hornets 115-109". ESPN.com. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Mirotic scores season-high 28, Bulls beat Pistons 117-95". ESPN.com. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Butler did it: Bulls pull away for 109-94 win over Bucks". ESPN.com. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Bulls top Cavs 99-93, James moves to 7th on NBA scoring list". ESPN.com. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  39. ^ "BULLS RE-SIGN NIKOLA MIROTIC". NBA.com. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  40. ^ "Bulls' Nikola Mirotic suffers broken facial bones in altercation with teammate Bobby Portis". ESPN.com. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  41. ^ Johnson, K.C. (17 October 2017). "Bulls' Nikola Mirotic out with two broken bones in face after being punched by teammate Bobby Portis". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  42. ^ "Markkanen scores 24, Bulls end skid with OT win over Hornets". ESPN.com. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  43. ^ "Mirotic, Portis lead way, Bulls blow out Celtics 108-85". ESPN.com. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  44. ^ "Bulls beat Jazz 103-100 for 4th straight victory". ESPN.com. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Mirotic scores 24 points off bench, Bulls beat Bucks 115-106". ESPN.com. 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  46. ^ "Pelicans Acquire Nikola Mirotić". NBA.com. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  47. ^ "Butler scores 30 to lead Wolves past Pelicans, 118-107". ESPN.com. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  48. ^ "Davis has 44, Pelicans blow 28-point lead, top Nets in 2 OTs". ESPN.com. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  49. ^ "Mirotic, Davis lead Pelicans to blowout win over Suns". ESPN.com. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Pelicans beat Clippers 113-100 to clinch playoff berth". ESPN.com. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  51. ^ "Davis scores 35, Pelicans hold off Blazers 97-95 in Game 1". ESPN.com. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  52. ^ "Mirotic, Davis lead Pelicans to 3-0 series lead over Blazers". ESPN.com. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  53. ^ "Davis, Mirotic lead Pelicans past Rockets 131-112". ESPN.com. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  54. ^ "Mirotic, Davis push Pelicans past Kings, 149-129". ESPN.com. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  55. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (19 October 2018). "Postgame wrap: Pelicans 149, Kings 129". NBA.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  56. ^ "Thunder win fifth straight, lose Westbrook to sprained ankle". ESPN.com. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  57. ^ "Davis has 38 points, 13 boards to lead Pelicans over Cavs". ESPN.com. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019. Mirotic returned after a 12-game absence due to an ankle injury.
  58. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Nikola Mirotic In Three-Team Deal". NBA.com. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  59. ^ "Antetokounmpo scores 30 points, Bucks beat Celtics 98-97". ESPN.com. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  60. ^ "Medical Update On Nikola Mirotic". NBA.com. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  61. ^ McMillen, Gabrielle (20 March 2019). "Nikola Mirotic injury update: Bucks forward has thumb fracture, out 2-4 weeks". sportingnews.com. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  62. ^ "Thunder get 6th spot in West with win over Bucks". ESPN.com. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019. Mirotic suffered a fractured left thumb against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 19 and did not play in the final 11 regular-season games.
  63. ^ "Bucks roll past Pistons 121-86 in series opener". ESPN.com. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  64. ^ "Nikola Mirotic signs for Barça". www.fcbarcelona.com. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  65. ^ "Mirotic's salary reportedly between € 3,9Μ and € 5,2 per season". Eurohoops. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  66. ^ "Nikola Mirotic es el MVP Movistar de la Liga Endesa". ACB.com. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  67. ^ Borghesan, Ennio Terrasi (25 September 2020). "Barcelona, Nikola Mirotic agree on contract extension". Sportando. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  68. ^ "2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP: Nikola Mirotic, FC Barcelona | Euroleague". Euroleague Basketball. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  69. ^ "Nikola Mirotic reportedly suffers Achilles injury". BasketNews. 22 July 2022.
  70. ^ "Nikola Mirotic reacts to his return on the court". BasketNews. 2 December 2022.
  71. ^ "All-EuroLeague Second Team revealed". BasketNews. 15 May 2023.
  72. ^ "Edy Tavares' monster game leads Real Madrid to triumph over Barca, final vs. Olympiacos". BasketNews. 19 May 2023.
  73. ^ "Mirotic takes responsibility and apologizes for Barca's loss: 'I feel very bad'". BasketNews. 20 May 2023.
  74. ^ "Nikola Mirotic and Barcelona part ways, the case will go to court". BasketNews. 20 July 2023.
  75. ^ "Ettore Messina on signing Mirotic: 'We can't compete with other clubs'". BasketNews. 28 June 2023.
  76. ^ "Panathinaikos join the race for Nikola Mirotic's signature". BasketNews. 9 July 2023.
  77. ^ "Dimitris Giannakopoulos addresses Nikola Mirotic's rumors". BasketNews. 23 July 2023.
  78. ^ "Nikola Mirotic on the verge of joining Partizan". BasketNews. 16 July 2023.
  79. ^ "Nikola Mirotic will not continue his career in Serbia". BasketNews. 22 July 2023.
  80. ^ "Partizan call out Nikola Mirotic for his statement". BasketNews. 22 July 2023.
  81. ^ "Zeljko Obradovic claims Mirotic was pressured not to join Partizan". BasketNews. 5 October 2023.
  82. ^ "Nikola Mirotic responds to rumors church caused his Partizan denial". BasketNews. 2 November 2023.
  83. ^ "Giorgio Armani annuncia Nikola Mirotic". olimpiamilano.com. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  84. ^ "Nikola Mirotic moves up to Top 10 EuroLeague All-time scoring list". BasketNews. 19 October 2023.
  85. ^ "MVP Mirotic leads All Tournament Team". fibaeurope.com. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  86. ^ "Gasol, Mirotic on powerful Spain roster". eurobasket2015.org. 30 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  87. ^ Nikola MIROTIC (ESP).
  88. ^ "Nikola Mirotic announces his retirement from the Spanish national team". BasketNews. 19 January 2023.
  89. ^ Internationally Known, Locally Respected
  90. ^ "NIKOLA MIROTIĆ: SREĆAN SAM ŠTO SAM CRNOGORAC!". kosarka.me (in Serbian). 11 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  91. ^ "Mirotić: Nikada nisam zatvorio vrata Crnoj Gori". glasamerike.net (in Serbian). 12 January 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  92. ^ "Nikola Mirotić potpisao peticiju protiv otimanja hramova SPC". РТС (in Bosnian). 5 July 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  93. ^ Gentlemen, Designer &. "Nikola Mirotic - Official Website". www.nikomirotic.com. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  94. ^ "Košarkaš ponosan na Orden Svetog Save". novosti.rs. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  95. ^ "Jedan od najboljih košarkaša Evrope na čelu kolone: Nikola Mirotić u litiji ka Podgorici (FOTO)". Večernje novosti (in Serbian). 16 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  96. ^ "Mirotić u litiji ka Podgorici (FOTO)". portalanalitika.me (in Montenegrin). 16 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
edit