DENVER — Before tipoff here Tuesday, a crisp No. 55 Celtics jersey hung in Terrence Williams’s locker as the newest member of the team lay on the floor, wearing his green game shorts, studying game film.

But Williams, whom the Celtics signed to a 10-day contract Monday, won’t be able to join the Celtics on the court until he receives a letter of clearance from the Chinese Basketball Association, and he didn’t receive that letter in time for Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets.