Notably, the team appointed Amy Atmore as the new director of rehabilitation, enhancing their focus on physical therapy, which had been a noted gap.
Under the leadership of General Manager Trajan Langdon, Atmore, along with Daniel Bove, director of performance and sports science, and Tom Maystadt, Head Athletic Trainer, transformed the Pelicans’ approach to player care.
Their efforts bore fruit this season, with Williamson playing a career-high 70 games and Ingram participating in 64, his most since his rookie year. This significant increase in availability contributed to the Pelicans tying their second-highest win total in franchise history with 49 regular-season victories.
Pelicans coach Willie Green emphasized the collaborative efforts behind this turnaround.
"It started with conversations with our performance and medical teams about ways we could be better. We saw the results. We were a healthier team overall."
This enhanced communication and proactive care evidently paid off, allowing Green to fully leverage his star duo’s capabilities on the court for the first time in his tenure.
Despite this progress, the season ended on a sour note for Williamson, who suffered a hamstring injury during the play-in tournament, sidelining him for the playoffs. Nonetheless, his performance throughout the season marked significant progress, with Coach Green praising his competitive spirit and growth.
As the Pelicans head into an offseason filled with decisions, including Ingram's potential contract extension, the improved health of their key players provides a solid foundation to build upon.
This strategic shift in medical and performance management may well mark a turning point in the franchise’s fortunes, aiming to sustain player health and competitive viability in the demanding NBA landscape.
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