False alarm. The Nets took one step toward panic mode before relaxing yesterday after a report circulated about an injury suffered by their 2002 first-round pick and future building block, Nenad Krstic.

After several quick calls, it was determined Krstic’s injury was nothing more than a thigh bruise suffered when he was kneed in the European playoffs and then aggravated in a recent practice for his national team.

“Nothing serious,” said Krstic’s agent Marc Fleisher. “It’s a deep bruise, he’ll be out a week.

The report circulating on the Internet contained Krstic’s Euroleague coach stressing his lack of centers resulted from a host of injuries with the “most serious” being suffered by Krstic. The words “injury, serious, Krstic” together were enough to sound alarms.

Nets’ first-round pick this season, Zoran Planinic, expected to be starting point guard for Croatia in European championships.

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Preseason Schedule

Oct. 7 – at Phoenix Suns – America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ – 9:00 p.m.

Oct. 9 – vs. Knicks – Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, PA – 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 – vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Continental Airlines Arena – 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 – vs. Boston Celtics – Continental Airlines Arena – 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 – at Toronto Raptors – Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT – 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21 – vs. Knicks – Continental Airlines Arena – 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 – at Philadelphia 76ers – Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, PA – 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 24 – at Boston Celtics – FleetCenter, Boston, MA – 7:30 p.m.