Nearly 2 1/2 weeks has passed since Kobe Bryant suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon, and the Lakers star has already shown yet another sign of progress.

Bryant tweeted out a photo via Instagram that he had his stitches removed. Since last week, Bryant has occasionally gone off crutches in favor of a walking boot. But Bryant still used crutches when he came out in the waning moments of the Lakers’ Game 4 loss Sunday to the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant also arrived on crutches at the Lakers’ practice facility Monday morning to receive treatment.

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti has estimated Bryant to stay sidelined for at least a month.

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