The Nuggets got their coach back but suffered a second straight road loss with Nikola Jokic back in Denver.

Here are three takeaways from the Nuggets’ 105-90 loss to the Grizzlies on Sunday in Memphis:

Jamal Murray struggles to shoulder scoring load for Denver Nuggets without Nikola Jokic in New Orleans

1. For the second time in as many games, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. weren’t up to the task of carrying the Nuggets to victory over a short-handed team without Jokic. Memphis was healthier than New Orleans was on Friday night, but the Grizzlies cruised to victory despite playing without Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and GG Jackson. Porter got replaced by Julian Strawther down the stretch and finished with 10 points on 12 shots. He grabbed three rebounds and committed a couple of turnovers. Murray stuffed the stat sheet in good and bad ways. He scored 13 points on 15 shots and committed six turnovers. The positives came in the form of seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Regardless if Jokic returns Tuesday, the Nuggets need more from Murray and Porter to avoid an 0-3 road trip.

2. More games like that from Strawther would make life so much easier for Denver’s inconsistent second unit. The second-year wing scored 19 points for the second time this season in Sunday’s loss. Strawther went 4 for 7 from 3-point range and got to the line four times. He also grabbed four rebounds and recorded three assists. In the five games since he dropped 19 against the Utah, Strawther scored 12 and 13 points in a couple of games and failed to crack double figures in the other three. He has the tools to be the Nuggets’ most reliable scorer off the bench, and a little more consistency would force teams to guard his group a little differently.

Doug Moe ready to hand over Nuggets coaching record to Michael Malone after two more wins

3. It wouldn’t really be right for Michael Malone to tie, or break, Doug Moe’s record for franchise wins without Jokic leading the way. Malone returned to the bench Sunday after missing Friday’s loss to the Pelicans to attend his daughter’s state-tournament volleyball games, but Jokic remained away from the team due to personal reasons. The Nuggets coach is still one win shy of tying Moe’s record of 432 wins, and Jokic has been in uniform for nearly all of the previous 431 over the last 10 years. Malone didn’t have much of an update when asked about Jokic’s return prior to Sunday’s game.

GRIZZLIES 105, NUGGETS 90

What happened: Memphis led by three after the first quarter, extended the lead to 55-43 at halftime and started the fourth quarter with a 20-point advantage. The Nuggets closed within 11 in the final minutes but dropped to 7-5 on the season.

What went right: After starting the season 1 for 8 from 3-point range, Dario Saric sunk a couple of 3s on four attempts Sunday. He also recorded his first double-double in a Denver uniform, posting 10 points and 10 rebounds.

What went wrong: The game got away from the Nuggets in the second quarter. Denver scored just 18 points in the period. It took more than five minutes for the Nuggets to make their second shot of the quarter.

Highlight of the night: Strawther did most of his damage from 3, but his prettiest play came on a third-quarter drive. The second-year guard got Grizzlies center Zach Edey to bite on a step-back and blew past the rookie before finishing with a finger roll.

Up next: The Nuggets have a day off in Memphis before Tuesday’s NBA Cup game against the Grizzlies.