Ntilikina set for awaited return

Frank Ntilikina is on the verge of a ballyhooed return from his groin injury.

The Knicks announced Ntilikina was cleared for practice and would practice Tuesday with the G-League’s Westchester Knicks. The club’s 2017 lottery pick hasn’t been completely ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Jazz, when the Knicks kick off a six-game homestand. It will depend on how he comes out of practice, according to a source.

More likely, however, Ntilikina will make his return Friday against the Nuggets. The Knicks have no plans to play him in the G-League.

The 20-year-old has missed seven weeks and 22 consecutive games. Coach David Fizdale initially thought Ntilikina would be back in a week or two after he was shut down in late January.

If Ntilikina returns Friday, he would have only 10 games to show how he fits in following the Knicks’ acquisition of Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith, meanwhile, will miss a third straight game Wednesday with a back injury. On Friday, it’s likely either Ntilikina will see time at point guard or alongside Smith.

If the Knicks don’t feel Ntilikina is developing into a potential starting point guard, they may trade him on draft night, especially with twoway G-Leaguer Kadeem Allen showing promise.

Last week, owner James Dolan tempered his impression of Ntilikina in a radio interview, saying, “We don’t know how good he’ll be.”

Ntilikina’s second season has not gone as planned, even though he returned bulkier and taller. He now is listed at 6-foot-6, but neither his 3-point shot nor his creativity got better. Ntilikina is shooting just 34.2 percent, and he’s averaging 5.9 points in 41 games.

Ntilikina’s lack of progress in his sophomore year is another blemish on Fizdale’s ability to get the most out of European players.