Nikola Mirotic had his stitches removed Wednesday, a small step that Fred Hoiberg said puts him "hopefully on the road to recovery now."
Mirotic underwent an emergency appendectomy on Jan. 27 and was expected to be out until after the All-Star break. But complications during the procedure required Mirotic to undergo a hematoma removal, a setback from which the second-year forward still does not have a timetable for his return.
The removal of the stitches should allow Mirotic to stand more upright, and Hoiberg said the next step of the process will be getting him into a hot tub or pool where he can begin his rehabilitation.