Three games into a five-game trip east, the Nuggets are still in search of their first win.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 122-112 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden:

1. The game certainly wasn’t lost in the minutes Nikola Jokic watched from the bench in the first half due to foul trouble, but it’s fair to wonder if things looked different if Nuggets coach Michael Malone gave his best player a little longer leash. Jokic unwisely picked up a pair of fouls in the first couple of minutes of the game and didn’t return to the court until the final seven minutes of the second quarter. Jokic picked up just one foul the rest of the way and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block in 33 minutes of playing time. He spent the second quarter finding a rhythm before looking like his regular self for most of the second half. The seven-point swing with Jokic watching in the first half wasn’t decisive, as Denver fought back to lead by eight in the third quarter, but letting Jokic play more in the first half could’ve been a worthwhile gamble.

2. Big-game Jamal Murray appears to be back. After scoring 25 points in Denver’s first game of the trip, a loss to Minnesota, Murray elevated his game at The Garden. He scored a team-high 33 points on 25 shots. He went 3 for 7 from 3-point range and added six assists, five rebounds, one steal and a block in 37 minutes. It marked the fourth straight game Murray has played between 35 and 40 minutes. His play was a big reason why Denver stayed competitive in the first half and created a lead in the third quarter. It’s been far from a consistent season from Denver’s No. 2 option, but the signs are promising.

3. That was a mature performance from Christian Braun. The third-year wing was the odd man out after Aaron Gordon rejoined the starting lineup. Malone opted to keep Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup alongside, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Gordon and Jokic, but there was no sign of pouting. Braun scored 13 of Denver’s 24 points off the bench. He shot 50% from the field and from 3-point range, while being perfect on four free throws. He grabbed five rebounds and dished out an assist in 29 minutes. Malone went to him early with Jokic in foul trouble, so Braun may play fewer minutes moving forward, but he showed he can be a steadying force for Denver’s up-and-down second unit in his first appearance as a reserve this season.

KNICKS 122, NUGGETS 112

What happened: New York led by five after the first quarter and took a 60-54 advantage to halftime. The Knicks added another point to the lead in the third and held on to drop Denver to 28-19 on the season.

What went right: Aaron Gordon appears to be done with any sort of restriction. Gordon returned to the starting lineup and played more than 30 minutes, finishing with 15 points on seven shots to go with six rebounds and an assist.

What went wrong: The Knicks finished with a 23-3 advantage in points off turnovers. The Nuggets finished the game with 14 turnovers, while the Knicks had just five before they took a shot-clock violation in the final seconds. Denver’s transition defense was an issue throughout the night even in dead-ball situations.

Highlight of the night: Despite limited minutes, Nikola Jokic made another jaw-dropping pass. In the final minutes of the third quarter, Jokic caught a pass on the right elbow. Without looking to view the entire court, Jokic fired a no-look pass to the opposite corner where Christian Braun was waiting for an open corner 3.

Up next: Denver’s five-game trip continues Friday in Philadelphia against the 76ers.