The New York Times’ Connections puzzle, a daily word association game, has released its latest sports-themed edition. The puzzle challenges players to group sixteen words into four categories of four, testing both sports knowledge and lateral thinking. Here’s a breakdown of today’s puzzle, including hints and the answers.
Puzzle Overview
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, a sports journalism site owned by the Times. The game is accessible through The Athletic’s app or online, and does not appear in the standard NYT Games app. The puzzle’s difficulty varies, with some categories being straightforward while others require deeper thought.
Hints by Difficulty
The puzzle groups are categorized by perceived difficulty, ranging from easy to challenging. Here are hints for each group:
- Yellow (Easiest): Think about how people experience sports.
- Green: A major professional women’s soccer league in the US.
- Blue: Legendary champions of horse racing.
- Purple (Hardest): A football term that isn’t about running.
Solutions: The Categories
Here’s how the puzzle breaks down, with the four words in each group:
- Yellow: Ways to Consume a Sporting Event – In Person, Radio, Streaming, Television
- Green: NWSL Teams – Current, Dash, Pride, Spirit
- Blue: Triple Crown Horse Racing Winners – Citation, Gallant Fox, Omaha, Secretariat
- Purple: Pass ____ – Breakup, Interference, Protection, Rush
Strategy Tips
Solving Connections effectively requires a systematic approach:
- Avoid Immediate Obvious Groups: Don’t jump on the first four words that seem to fit together; consider alternative connections.
- Look for Double Meanings: The puzzle often uses words with multiple interpretations – names that double as common words, or terms with both sporting and general definitions.
- Consider Athlete Names: Don’t dismiss proper nouns too quickly; some words may be athlete last names or team nicknames.
Connections challenges players to think beyond surface-level associations, rewarding both sports knowledge and creative problem-solving. The puzzle’s difficulty lies in its ability to mislead, making careful consideration of each word essential for success.
