While Alec Burks appears to be getting closer to a return for the Knicks, Frank Ntilikina does not.
The French enigma has been limited to four games this season, the fourth and final one of Ntilikina’s rookie contract. And it’s going a lot like the first three — disappointing, with nagging injuries to boot.
Ntilikina’s Knicks career began in the summer of 2017, after former team president Phil Jackson drafted him eighth-overall to run the triangle.
Jackson was fired days later, and Ntilikina promptly missed summer league with a groin strain. The 22-year-old has never been able to stay completely healthy, hurting his development and putting his future in doubt. He will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Ntilikina, who sprained his knee the last time the Knicks visited Cleveland on Dec. 29, remains out indefinitely, with coach Tom Thibodeau giving no indication a return is close.
“It’s a sprain,’’ Thibodeau said before the Knicks’ 106-103 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday. “We have to be patient and let him work through that. He’s making steady progress. It will probably be a little while longer.”
Of course, Thibodeau also had a similarly dim view of rookie Obi Toppin’s return last Sunday, and he was back three days later. But Ntilikina’s injury looks like a severe sprain — which technically is a small tear in either the ACL or MCL.
Ntilikina, who missed half of preseason with an Achilles strain, played four games and did well in the last two. Against the Bucks on Dec. 27, Ntilikina made all four of his 3-point shots and finished with 12 points in 19 minutes.
In 2018-19, Ntilikina played just 43 of 82 games. Last season, he battled various aliments, but played 57 of 63 games. He didn’t catch a break when the season was suspended one game after a breakout 20-point, 10-assist performance at Washington on March 10.
Meanwhile, Burks, the Knicks’ big free-agent signing, might be getting close. He has been out since the third game with a sprained ankle. His 3-point shooting has been missed.
“He’s coming along very well,’’ Thibodeau said. “Getting closer and closer. We have to recondition him. He’s doing quite a bit in practice, but he’s still day to day.’’