The process was peculiar, but the Nuggets ensured they will start the playoffs at home.

With two games left in the regular season, and home-court advantage in the first round still up for grabs, the Nuggets elected to sit their starting five against a Thunder squad that earned its rest. The risk worked out, as a 127-107 win over Oklahoma City secured a top-four finish in the Western Conference.

“When I talked to the team this morning, there was a worry for me that they would see we had guys out, (and) they had guys out,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “What’s your approach going to be?  I did walk into the room, thinking I was going to have to give some kind of inspirational ‘We’re here to win the game’ talk, but I could tell these guys were ready to play. They saw opportunity out there.”

Oklahoma City, which already secured the one seed in the Western Conference and best record in the NBA, rested all of its top players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Lu Dort, who needed to play 20 minutes to qualify for end-of-season awards, was Oklahoma City’s only real rotation player who was active for the game. He exited after playing 20 minutes and 27 seconds.

The Nuggets listed Nikola Jokic (right wrist injury management), Jamal Murray (right shoulder impingement) and Aaron Gordon (right hamstring injury management) as questionable on Thursday night. Friday morning, Christian Braun (left ankle injury management/right hip flexor strain) and Cam Johnson (right ankle injury management) were added to the injury report. Nuggets coach David Adelman announced none of the starting five would play prior to Friday’s game.

Jokic needs to play at least 15 minutes on Sunday to be eligible for end-of-season awards. That’s not a guarantee.

“We’re going to have that conversation tomorrow,” Adelman said. “He went through a ton of treatment today. Obviously, the success in the playoffs matters more than anything else, but this rule stares at us right now. We got to make a proper decision, and we need to go in there with a real plan.”

The status of the other four starters will not be impacted by Jokic’s availability, the Nuggets coach added.

Denver was also without Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, who remain sidelined with hamstring strains. Adelman was uncertain if either would be able to play in Sunday’s regular-season finale at San Antonio, which has already secured the two seed. Victor Wembanyama passed the 65-game threshold in the Spurs’ win over the Mavericks.

With the starters out, Denver started Tyus Jones, Tim Hardaway Jr., Julian Strawther, Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas led the Nuggets with 23 points, 17 rebounds and four assists, while Strawther added 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and a couple of steals.

“It changes a lot, especially for me going from a bench rotation guy to being out there in the starting lineup and (creating) for the squad,” Strawther admitted. “These are the games I live for. I love the opportunity. I’m super grateful for it.”

The Thunder started Dort, Jared McCain, Nikola Topic, Aaron Wiggins and Branden Carlson, who led the Thunder with 23 points.

Heading into Friday’s game, the Nuggets, Lakers and Rockets were still jostling for seeding with seeds three through five up for grabs. The three seed will play the Timberwolves, who are locked into sixth place. Denver didn’t have the luxury of seeing how Houston’s game against Minnesota or the Lakers’ game against the Suns would go, as both games tipped after Denver’s game against Oklahoma City.

“A lot of positives,” Adelman said. “I was just really proud of the group.”

NUGGETS 127, THUNDER 107

What happened: What happened: Denver led 59-51 at halftime. Oklahoma City closed within two points (87-85) late in the third, but the Nuggets opened the fourth quarter on a 21-5 run to secure the win.

What went right: The Nuggets finished with a 50-37 advantage in bench points. David Roddy and Jalen Pickett led the way with 21 and 13 points, respectively.

What went wrong: Oklahoma City scored 19 points off 16 Denver turnovers and finished with a 46-40 advantage in points in the paint.

Highlight of the night: David Roddy followed up a strong two-handed dunk with a shifty drive for a layup on consecutive possessions in the first minute of the fourth quarter to give the Nuggets a nine-point lead.

Up next: The Nuggets close the regular season Sunday at San Antonio.