2024 NBA Playoffs: First Impressions of Opening Week Postseason Basketball

(Photo : (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)) BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket as the Miami Heat defense looks on during the second half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on April 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

The 2024 NBA Playoffs are off to a rocking start!

An epic weekend of NBA Playoffs action is in the books, with each team playing game one of their best-of-seven series against each other.

Without overreacting, there were a lot of takeaways from the initial game of each series, here is just a tiny portion of what we learned from some of the best matchups this weekend.

2024 NBA Playoffs Bucks vs. Pacers: Dame Time

No Giannis, No Problem!

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard has looked all that he was advertised to be during Sunday's game one against the Indiana Pacers.

The star point guard willed his Bucks to a 109-94 victory over the Pacers behind a 35-point performance.

Lillard's first season in Milwaukee wasn't as smooth as fans would have hoped. Despite winning 49 games and clinching a top-five seed in the East, the team has lacked consistency.

Now it seems that head coach Doc Rivers has the tools to temporarily carry the Bucks even without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

2024 NBA Playoffs Knicks vs. 76ers: Joel Embiid's Health Concern

Coming into Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks, the question was how Joel Embiid would look playing postseason minutes.

The Process scored 29 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in 29 minutes of play on Saturday.

In going for a ferocious alley-loop off the backboard to himself, dunking the basketball for the first time since returning from the injury, Joel Embiid fell awkwardly on his knee and went to the locker room in the second quarter.

Reports have recently revealed that Embiid's knee feels good now heading into game two.

Joel Embiid is responsible for the 76ers' contingent success. If the All-Star big-man isn't healthy, the Sixers can almost certainly kiss their chance at a potential NBA Championship this season goodbye.

2024 NBA Playoffs Celtics vs. Heat: Jayson Tatum Triple Double

In their matchup against the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics handled business, winning game 1 114-94.

Jayson Tatum looked spectacular in the opening game, posting a 23-point triple-double to give the Celtics the win against the Butler-less Heat team.

Tatum's strong performance should be an encouraging sign for Celtics fans as the team dominated everyone on their way to the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics could sweep their way to the Eastern Conference finals based on how much of a talented roster they've assembled.

NBA Playoffs Nuggets vs. Lakers: Nikola Jokic and Denver Steamroll Los Angeles

In game 1 between the Nuggets and Lakers, we were reminded why the Denver Nuggets are the reigning champions.

The Los Angeles Lakers held a two-point lead against the Denver Nuggets before the team turned it up, going on a 13-0 run before defeating Los Angeles 114-103.

The Anthony Davis and LeBron James combo looked great as James and Davis combined for 59 points on 39 shots, plus 20 rebounds and 13 assists.

However, the Nuggets' supporting cast proved their superiority. All three of the Nuggets starters, excluding Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, had fantastic performances; most notably Peyton Watson was electric off the bench for Denver in this one.