It has been a grueling road back to the court for Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons over the last several months after coming off a surgically repaired meniscus in his left knee.

Parsons appears to have finally broken through as he scored 24 points with six 3-pointers made in Saturday's win over the Houston Rockets. Following the game, the 29-year-old Grizzlies veteran was quite pleased with his performance, according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.

“That good, was when I was on the Rockets …” he said. “I felt like I was throwing a rock into an ocean.”

It was a huge step forward for Chandler Parsons, who had inked a max deal worth $94.4 million over four seasons. There has been growing chatter of criticism thrown the Grizzlies' way for committing that type of money toward him.

The Grizzlies have gotten off to a strong start heading the Western Conference with a 5-1 record that includes topping the defending champion Golden State Warriors, Rockets twice, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Although it is early in the season, it is certainly an encouraging sign of what may come down the road.

If Chandler Parsons can build off his first big performance since his knee injury, he could prove to be a vital part of the Grizzlies' success this year.