Enes Kanter of the Knicks waits to enter a game...

Enes Kanter of the Knicks waits to enter a game against the Suns at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 17, 2018. Credit: Jim McIsaac

Enes Kanter was out Friday, fighting what the team described as flu-like symptoms, and Knicks coach David Fizdale believed his absence was not a result of Kanter’s self-proclaimed cheat day on Wednesday.

When the Knicks returned from the 15-day road trip, Kanter posted a video on social media describing his dinner plans — a cheat day including seven different hamburgers, some with multiple burgers, along with a tray of French fries.

“This one I kind of heard about. I didn’t see it,” Fizdale said. “Eat seven burgers? No way. His body would have rejected that. No, I can’t see that. Enes, the guy walks around with his shirt off all day in the locker room. There’s no way he’s stuffing seven burgers down his face. I just don’t see it. I think people sometimes take [Instagram] too seriously.”

Fizdale said Kanter, who left practice early on Thursday, “has flu-like symptoms that have been bugging him the last two days. So he’s going to be out tonight.”   

No trip for Porzingis

Although Kristaps Porzingis is the Knicks’ most celebrated international star, Fizdale said he is unlikely to accompany the team on the trip to London next week to play the Wizards.

“Right now I think we’re leaning toward keeping him back because of the distance of the trip,” Fizdale said. “We talked to him today. I got to spend some time with him, which was nice. And he’s in a really great groove right now with his workouts and his development.

"He was on the court today with one of the coaches. So we’re leaning toward most likely keeping him back.”   

Expanding the game

Fizdale said Luke Kornet, who has taken 36 of his 50 field-goal attempts from beyond the arc since moving into the starting lineup, is being urged to take advantage of his post-up skills, too. Six of his seven attempts on Friday were three-pointers.

“At first it was funny because he passed out the ball on a post-up at practice a couple weeks ago and I was like, ‘What are you doing? Stop putting a cap on yourself,’ ” Fizdale said. “Because he had this image that 'I should be the guy who always has to pass the ball, who always has to move the ball.' But he has a real post-up skill set and some other things, so I think we’re just seeing the beginning of Luke’s development and where he can go.”

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME