LOS ANGELES — It was another false alarm for Larry Johnson, who was diagnosed yesterday with a pinched nerve in his back, unrelated to the herniated disk he suffered five years ago.

Johnson is to be re-evaluated Friday. As expected, the prescribed cure for Johnson’s latest back trouble is rest, and not surgery, which was a worst-case, longshot scenario that would have put him out at least a month. He flew from California to New York on Monday and received an MRI and X-rays yesterday by Dr. Norman Scott at Beth Israel North.

“He’s already showing signs of improvement,” a team source close to Johnson said. “There’s no longer concern.”

Coach Jeff Van Gundy was a little more cautious, saying, “I’m not discouraged or encouraged. We’ll know more definitively Friday [on when Johnson will be back].”

It is unlikely he’ll be back as soon as Saturday, though.

In a statement, Scott said, “Larry has a pinched nerve. We’re optimistic surgery will not be necessary.”

Johnson missed his third straight game last night, and fifth of the season.