In another indication that he will be back on the court sooner than anticipated, Kobe Bryant told reporters in the Philippines that his Achilles tendon is progressing well.

“The tendon feels really, really good,” the Los Angeles Lakers superstar said during the interview. “The trainers go with me everywhere – family vacations, business trips – they’re there all the time.”

Bryant, 35, tore the tendon April 12 during a game against the Golden State Warriors. After undergoing surgery, he was given a recovery time of nine to 12 months. However, all indications are that he’s well ahead of that schedule.

A return date hasn’t been made official, but Bryant hasn’t ruled out returning on opening night of the season, when the Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers on October 29.

Bryant is coming off one of his best seasons in years, averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds a game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. He played all but four games for the up-and-down Lakers, earning first-team All-NBA honors as Los Angeles slipped into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season with the No. 7 seed.

Without Bryant, the Lakers were swept by the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Then Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace and Earl Clark all left the team this offseason, leaving Los Angeles in a precarious position, particularly if Bryant doesn’t return quickly.

The Lakers still have aging stars Steve Nash and Pau Gasol but are weak on the wings, likely starting two of Jodie Meeks, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson at shooting guard and small forward.