‘Birdman’ missing for Denver: Anderson leaves bench after pregame because of illness

Denver playing without ‘Birdman’

DALLAS — The “Birdman” was missing for Denver.

Chris Andersen missed Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday night in Dallas because of a stomach flu.

Andersen was on the court for pregame introductions, but the Nuggets’ 6-foot-10 post player then went back to the locker room and wasn’t seen on the bench again. When the team returned after halftime, Andersen wasn’t with them and the Nuggets said he wouldn’t play.

In Game 3 on Saturday, Anderson fouled out in only 11 minutes. He had eight points and nine rebounds while playing 25 minutes in Game 2.