Kobe Bryant gets cast off, transitions to walking boot

Fresh off an April 13 surgery to repair his torn left Achilles’ tendon, Kobe Bryant announced via Twitter on Tuesday he is out of his cast.

“Cast off today. I have zero swelling and virtually no pain. Boot now for a few months. I start therapy...” Bryant tweeted with a link to an Instagram photo.

The image shows Bryant’s foot secured in the boot he will be wearing for some time.

The initial prognosis for his return is six to nine months after surgery. Both the Lakers and Bryant hope he’ll be available in time for training camp.

Recovering from such a significant injury may delay his return and diminish Bryant’s athleticism. The Lakers owe him $30.5 million in salary for next season.

The All-Star guard was injured April 12 in a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers are currently down, 1-0, to the San Antonio Spurs in their first-round series of the playoffs.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.