NBA: Breaking Stories and all the Latest from NBA.com

Here is the latest NBA News from NBA.com.

Report: Kings to interview Del Negro, Jackson, Mitchell
The Sacramento Kings are starting the search for yet another head coach with three candidates who have extensive experience in the head chair.

Nowitzki joins Mavs’ long injury list with right knee bruise
German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki has been added to the long injury list for Dallas in the playoffs.

Celtics score 7 in first quarter, lowest in shot-clock era
The short-handed Boston Celtics turned in the lowest-scoring first quarter in an NBA playoff game since the league went to a shot clock in 1954, managing just seven points against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

Nowitzki (bruised knee) joins Mavs’ long injury list
Add star Dirk Nowitzki to the long injury list for Dallas in the playoffs.

Suns name Earl Watson head coach
The Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement with interim head coach Earl Watson to retain him as the 17th head coach in franchise history.

Suns remove interim tag, name Watson coach
The Phoenix Suns are retaining Earl Watson as head coach for next season.

Warriors’ Curry questionable for Thursday’s Game 3
Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who tweaked his right ankle during Saturday’s Game 1 versus Houston and missed last night’s Game 2 against the Rockets, underwent an MRI this afternoon in the Bay Area. The MRI did not reveal anything of concern and Curry is expected to continue treatment in preparation for Thursday’s Game 3 in Houston. He is listed as questionable.

Celtics’ Olynyk out for Game 2 with shoulder injury
The Boston Celtics went into Game 2 of the NBA playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks without another key player on Tuesday night.

Curry remains questionable for Game 3 after MRI
Stephen Curry’s troublesome right ankle has no serious structural damage.

LeBron avoiding war of words with Van Gundy, Pistons
LeBron James won’t get into any verbal fight with Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy.

Clippers’ Crawford named Kia NBA Sixth Man of Year
The Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford is the winner of the 2015-16 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award for his contributions in a reserve role, the NBA announced today. He becomes the first player to earn the honor three times. The 36-year-old Crawford also breaks his own record, set two years ago, as the oldest winner.

Report: Wolves to interview Jackson for coaching positon
A person with knowledge of the search tells The Associated Press that the Minnesota Timberwolves plan to interview Mark Jackson for their coaching vacancy.

Warriors will allow Walton to interview for coaching jobs
If teams come to the Warriors asking about interviewing top assistant Luke Walton, Golden State plans to oblige – just not while the defending champions are in the middle of a playoff series.

Curry is out for Game 2 of playoffs with ankle injury
Stephen Curry realized he should sit out a game if playing might risk further damage to his troublesome right ankle – even in the playoffs when he has been at his best. He already had two surgeries on the ankle during 2011-12 and wants to avoid another.

Pistons’ Van Gundy fined for criticizing officials
Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Curry misses shootaround, questionable for Game 2
NBA MVP Stephen Curry is officially listed as questionable for the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their playoff series.

Blowouts abound in opening round of postseason
Sunday was a truly rare day in NBA history.

Spurs’ Leonard named Kia Defensive Player of the Year
The San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, who helped the team finish with the NBA’s top defense this season, is the recipient of the 2015-16 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, the NBA announced today. Leonard, a 6-7 forward, becomes the first non-center to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Barea out, Williams doubtful for Game 2
The Dallas Mavericks are hurting in more ways than one in their backcourt.

Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson hired to coach Nets
Kenny Atkinson has become one of the NBA’s most respected assistant coaches, helping the Atlanta Hawks to their best season ever.

Curry still questionable for Game 2 against Rockets
The Golden State Warriors are preparing to play without NBA MVP Stephen Curry for Game 2 of their playoff series against Houston as he nurses an ankle injury.

Celtics’ Bradley likely out for series with hamstring injury
Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley is likely out for the rest of the opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks with a hamstring injury.

Nets name Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson head coach
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Brooklyn Nets have named Kenny Atkinson as the team’s new head coach. Atkinson will become the 21st head coach in the franchise’s NBA history. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Atlanta’s Hardaway suits up for Game 1
Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is active for Game 1 of Atlanta’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

President Obama, Warriors’ Curry team up on PSA
President Barack Obama has teamed with reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry on a public service announcement calling for Americans to mentor youth in their community to make a positive impact.

Different playoff feel for Hawks and Celtics
For both the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics, the NBA playoffs feel a lot different than they did a year ago.

Thunder star Russell Westbrook rolling as playoffs arrive
Russell Westbrook’s triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers reminded Kevin Durant of someone playing the NBA 2K game on rookie mode.

Mavericks’ Nowitzki leading another playoff run at age 37
Dirk Nowitzki’s age-defying wizardry has been overlooked lately because of Kobe Bryant.

Back in the playoffs, Wade savoring opportunity
Numbers do not tell the whole story when it comes to Dwyane Wade this season.

LeBron locked in playoff-mode as Cavaliers aim for NBA title
LeBron James has been in the shadows, somewhat overlooked.

Nuggets announce front office changes
Denver Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced a number of title changes today.

Lakers’ Scott expects to return to team for 2016-17 season
Coach Byron Scott expects to be a part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ life after Kobe Bryant.

Warriors turn focus from record 73 wins to title repeat
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors had their chance to celebrate their record-setting regular season before turning their focus to even bigger goals.

Cavs’ James, Rockets’ Harden named Kia Players of Month for April
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

Powell, Towns named Kia Rookies of Month for April
The Toronto Raptors’ Norman Powell and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

Vogel, Rivers named Coaches of Month for April
The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

NBA releases statement on All-Star 2017 in Charlotte
The following statement has been issued by Mike Bass, Executive Vice President, Communications:

NBA replay
NBA referees spent significantly less time reviewing calls this season as the NBA Replay Center stepped up its efforts to improve efficiency and maintain the flow of the game. The average review time was reduced by nearly 25 percent, dropping from 42.1 seconds during the 2014-15 season to 31.9 seconds.