The Dallas Mavericks cut ties with director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough Monday, the fourth major shake‑up in the department in four seasons. The move followed an injury‑laden 2025‑26 campaign that left the team out of the playoffs. With the roster still in flux, the organization seeks a fresh health‑and‑performance philosophy to rebuild now.

Bilsborough, an Australian sports scientist with a doctorate, arrived in Dallas after stints with the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics. Nico Harrison, the former general manager, handpicked him to replace Casey Smith, who exited in August 2023 after a 20‑year tenure. Harrison’s choice reflected a desire to overhaul for the team's medical strategy.

The dismissal follows the firing of first‑year athletic performance director Keith Belton, whose clash with Bilsborough culminated in a heated confrontation at the practice facility after Belton pushed center Dereck Lively II through a return‑to‑play drill a day before a CT scan revealed a stress fracture. Belton had earlier replaced longtime strength coach Jeremy Holsopple, who joined the Lakers.

With the new lead basketball operations executive slated for a mid‑May appointment, the Mavericks expect a fresh hire to step into the health role soon after. The overhaul signals a commitment to revamp player health protocols and could set the tone for the team's competitiveness in the coming season as the organization a roster and aims to avoid the injury setbacks that plagued last year.