By Chris De Silva

Topic: Basketball

Victor Wembanyama's first playoff game is a big story.

The first round of the NBA playoffs has begun.

This year's playoffs have everything: heroes coming back from injuries, stars playing their best, and some bad feelings between teams.

Young players and teams are in the playoffs for the first time, while experienced players want to make their mark.

Here's what to watch in each series.

Eastern Conference

The Detroit and Orlando series is tied 2-2.

Cade Cunningham is back for Detroit's playoffs.

Cunningham returned from a collapsed lung just in time.

Detroit did well without Cunningham, going 8-3.

Jalen Duren did better in points, rebounds, and assists after the All-Star break.

Detroit was a surprise this season, but playoffs are different.

Opponents will try to stop Cunningham, so his teammates must step up.

Detroit's games are often messy and physical.

Orlando is also comfortable playing physically.

This series might look like old-school basketball and could get rough.

The Boston and Philadelphia series is tied 2-2.

Jayson Tatum is back for Boston after an injury.

Boston is favored to make the NBA Finals from the East.

Tatum's shooting isn't back to normal, but other parts of his game are.

Boston's offense in tight situations will be important.

Last year, Boston struggled in these situations.

Paul George and Tyrese Maxey must lead Philadelphia without Joel Embiid.

Jaylen Brown has improved as a playmaker this year.

Brown will be key for Boston in the playoffs.

Philadelphia will try to extend the series until Embiid returns.

New York won the series against Atlanta 2-1.

Jalen Brunson faces Atlanta's strong defenders, including Dyson Daniels.

The best version of the Knicks can make the Finals, but consistency is a question.

New York was inconsistent this season but is in the top 10 in offense and defense.

The Knicks face a tough Atlanta team that has been hot lately.

Atlanta's defense has been strong, especially after the All-Star break.

Dyson Daniels will guard Jalen Brunson, and their history makes it an interesting matchup.

Daniels is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.

This series could be a first-round upset due to how closely matched the teams are.

Toronto won the series against Cleveland 3-0.

Cleveland is under pressure to perform in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers have had disappointing early exits in recent years.

Cleveland is finally healthy but hasn't had its best players play together much.

No Cavaliers lineup has played more than 100 minutes together this season.

The matchup between Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes will be crucial.

Cleveland has a strong offense but a middling defense, opposite of Toronto.

The Cavaliers will challenge Toronto to shoot from outside to win.

Western Conference

Oklahoma City won the series against Phoenix 3-2.

Oklahoma City is the favorite to win the championship again.

The Thunder had a dominant season and is finally healthy.

Oklahoma City faces Phoenix, which made it to the playoffs by beating Golden State.

Phoenix lacks talent but has a lot of heart.

The Suns struggle with offense, ranking 17th in the league.

San Antonio won the series against Portland 2-1.

Victor Wembanyama makes his playoff debut after a dominant season.

San Antonio rose from not making the playoffs to being a contender.

The Spurs face Portland, which also has no playoff experience in its core.

Wembanyama is already the league's most impactful defender.

Portland is a feel-good story this season, thanks to Deni Avdija's play.

Avdija was key to Portland's offense and will be important in this series.

Denver won the series against Minnesota 3-1.

Nikola Jokic had one of the most dominant regular seasons in NBA history.

The Nuggets face the Wolves in a series for the third time in four years.

Minnesota finished the season poorly, going 8-7 in its last 15 games.

Anthony Edwards is back for the series but may not be fully healthy.

Denver got healthy at the right time and is ready for the playoffs.

Jokic had a historic season, leading the league in rebounds and assists.

Rudy Gobert will try to defend Jokic, but it will be about limiting the damage.

Julius Randle was good for the Wolves last year and needs to be efficient again.

Los Angeles won the series against Houston 2-1.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James face each other in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

The Lakers are injured, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out.

LeBron James will have to carry the load for the Lakers.

James has looked good this season but will need to do more without Doncic and Reaves.

Houston has a good offense but has struggled in late-game situations.

The Rockets are one of the worst teams in clutch situations.

How efficient Houston's offense is will determine how far it goes in the playoffs.