Big scoring nights from Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson, and another Nikola Jokic triple-double in Memphis prevented the Nuggets from losing consecutive games for the first time this season.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 125-115 win over the Grizzlies on Monday at FedExForum:

1.  Aaron Gordon’s injury is really bad for the Nuggets, but it’s good for Jamal Murray’s All-Star chances. Nikola Jokic is yet to be accompanied by a teammate in the All-Star Game, but that will change with a couple of more strong months from Murray. The Nuggets’ starting point guard continued his strong start to the season with a game-high 29 points on 11 of 21 shooting. He made 6 of his 9 attempts from 3-point range, dished out eight assists and grabbed three rebounds. Those are All-Star numbers, and he’s going to have more opportunities to have nights like that for as long as Gordon is out.

2. Peyton Watson has set a precedent. Watson is going to continue to shoot as long as teams are going to dare him to shoot during his time in Denver’s starting lineup. The 23-year-old matched his career high with five made 3-pointers on 12 attempts, which set a career high. He finished the night with 27 points on 22 field-goal attempts with five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Watson’s reputation has been established on his defensive prowess, but his offensive game has taken a leap with the increased role since Christian Braun’s injury.

3. It’s come around for Cam Johnson. After an uncharacteristic shooting stretch to start the season, Johnson is 14 for 23 (61%) from 3-point range over the last five games. He’s scored 14 or more points in four of those games. There was unwarranted concern after Johnson’s slow start, but the 29-year-old is getting a better idea where his shots will come from and is shooting with more confidence recently. Continuing that trend will be a significant part of Denver’s success for as long as the Nuggets are without Gordon and Braun.

NUGGETS 125, GRIZZLIES 115

What happened: Denver led by four after the first quarter and owned a 62-54 advantage at halftime. The Nuggets extended the lead to eight after three quarters and improved to 13-4 on the season.      

What went right: Zeke Nnaji made 2 of 3 attempts from 3-point range and grabbed six defensive rebounds. Nnaji’s production will be important as long as Aaron Gordon is out of the lineup.

What went wrong: Denver’s bench scored 34 points and still got outscored by Memphis’ reserves by 30 points. Jock Landale (28) and Cam Spencer (18) combined for 42 of those points.

Highlight of the night: Nikola Jokic made a half-court buzzer beater look routine in the final seconds of the third quarter. Jokic caught an in-bounds pass from Peyton Watson, squared up and splashed a shot from the Grizzlies logo. Jokic finished with 17 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds.

Up next: The Nuggets have a few days off before Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.