DENVER — This season, Celtics forward Jordan Mickey has become a symbol of possibility. The rookie second-round pick has steamrolled the D-League and performed well in very brief flashes in Boston, leaving fans captivated by his potential.

But the Celtics have a deep frontcourt that mostly avoided injuries during the first half of the season, so Mickey was with the Maine Red Claws or the bottom of Boston’s depth chart.

“I know I’m a young guy and I’ve got to wait my time like everybody else had to do,’’ he said. “That’s what everybody says. You just have to wait for your time and that’s what I’m doing.’’

But forward Kelly Olynyk sprained his shoulder against the Clippers on Feb. 10 and might be out for another month. And on Friday, the Celtics waived veteran David Lee. And now the frontcourt doesn’t look quite as crowded.

Mickey was preparing to catch a flight to join the Red Claws in Delaware after the All-Star break when the Celtics summoned him to join them in Salt Lake City. He had been sidelined since spraining his ankle on Jan. 16, but on Friday night had a brief but promising stretch in the final minutes of the Celtics’ 111-93 loss to the Jazz.

Mickey entered the game with just under three minutes left and immediately caught an alley-oop for a layup. Then he blocked Jazz star Gordon Hayward’s shot before swatting Utah’s Jeff Withey, too. It was another tiny slice that showed Mickey’s potential, and it could be enough for him to receive a look during a more essential part of an upcoming game, particularly with Olynyk sidelined.

“It felt great,’’ Mickey said. “Happy to be able to just get an opportunity. It’s all about taking your opportunity and showing what you can do.’’

Wise words

Lee had fallen out of the rotation, appearing in just one of the team’s last 21 games. Despite his lack of playing time, though, he was a veteran presence for the team’s young players. Lee gravitated toward rookies R.J. Hunter, Terry Rozier, and Mickey, as well as second-year wing James Young.

“He taught us just kind of how to be a pro,’’ Hunter said. “He kind of sensed we were young guys, so when he wasn’t playing he made an effort to come over and tell us what he thought. He didn’t tell us what to do, but gave us input.’’

Hunter said the fact that Lee was a two-time All-Star and won a title with the Warriors last season gave his words added weight.

“So we didn’t have any egos in that any time he talked to us, we listened,’’ Hunter said. “He was always honest and straightforward whether we liked it or not, and I think guys appreciated that.’’

In no rush

Lee’s departure opened a roster spot for the Celtics, but president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Brad Stevens stressed that there was no rush to sign a player.

On Friday, Stevens said he had yet to discuss the opening with Ainge. He said that if the Celtics suffered another substantial injury, it would obviously spark a little more urgency.

“I think it’s more important that we find the right fit for our roster if we’re going to fill that spot,’’ Stevens said. “And we don’t have to fill that spot . . . I think it’s really important that we are patient and smart about who we add to this group.’’

The Celtics were nicked up in their loss to the Jazz. Guard Marcus Smart sprained his right thumb in the first half. After the game his hand was wrapped in medical tape, but he said he will be able to play against the Nuggets on Sunday.

Guard Avery Bradley, meanwhile, bruised his knee when he collided with the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert or Celtics forward Amir Johnson in the third quarter. Bradley limped out of the locker room after the game.

“It’s going to be painful [on Saturday], I know that,’’ Bradley said. “I just have to continue to get treatment and take care of my body. That’s the most important thing. And listen to my body. So I can’t really say whether I’m going to play or not. It’s probably going to be a game-time decision.’’

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.