The Memphis Grizzlies' regular season was derailed in the early going this past season when center Marc Gasol went down with a knee injury.

Gasol's health next season will go a long way in deciding how the team fares, and initial reports are very promising. Gasol has already begun working out without a brace on that injured right knee, the first time he's done so since spraining his MCL in November.

"I don’t have to wear a brace anymore," Gasol told Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "It’s like the knee injury never happened. It’s really strong and stable."

There remains plenty of time between now and the start of the Grizzlies' training camp in September, so it sounds as if the big Spaniard will be fully healthy by then.