Grizzlies' Gasol plays vs. Spurs despite knee bone bruise

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol will play against the San Antonio Spurs in Friday's big Southwest Division clash, and the early-season MVP candidate doesn't understand why his knee bone bruise is such a big deal.

Gasol was originally listed as questionable to face the Spurs.

An MRI showed the bone bruise in his right knee following Wednesday's loss to the Houston Rockets.

For what it's worth, a big deal was made over a Gasol knee injury because the Grizzlies went 10-13 with their starting center sidelined due to a left knee sprain last season. Memphis went 40-19 with Gasol in the lineup, however, and are off to a 15-3 start this year.

Gasol is averaging 19.4 points, 8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals.

The Grizzlies currently hold a two-game lead on the third-place Spurs (13-5) in the Southwest.