The latest New York Times Connections puzzle, a sports-themed edition from The Athletic, has proven challenging for many players. This version, distinct from the main Connections game and found within The Athletic app or online, requires clever wordplay and sports knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of today’s categories and solutions.
Puzzle Overview
Connections challenges players to group 16 words into four categories of four, based on shared themes. The difficulty varies, with some groups relying on straightforward associations while others demand more abstract thinking. Today’s edition emphasizes sports-related trivia and subtle word manipulation.
Hints for Each Category
Before revealing the answers, here are the original hints provided to guide players:
- Yellow: “You stink!”
- Green: 1996 movie.
- Blue: Sunshine state.
- Purple: Football teams, with a twist.
The Solutions
The solutions, as revealed by The Athletic, are as follows:
Yellow Group: Heckle
This category groups words associated with negative fan reactions:
- Boo
- Hiss
- Hoot
- Jeer
Green Group: “Space Jam” Characters
The theme here centers on characters featured in the 1996 film Space Jam :
- Bugs (Bunny)
- Jordan (Michael)
- Lola (Bunny)
- Tweety (Bird)
Blue Group: Florida College Teams
This category features college sports teams from Florida:
- Bulls (University of South Florida)
- Gators (University of Florida)
- Owls (Florida Atlantic University)
- Seminoles (Florida State University)
Purple Group: Modified NFL Teams
The most challenging category requires altering the first letter of NFL team names:
- Bolts (Colts)
- Crowns (Browns)
- Hackers (Packers)
- Paints (Saints)
Why This Matters
The Connections puzzle, including the Sports Edition, has become a daily ritual for many New York Times and The Athletic subscribers. The difficulty level varies, but it consistently tests vocabulary, pattern recognition, and sometimes niche knowledge. The integration of sports themes provides a fresh challenge for fans, though the modified NFL category highlights the game’s willingness to include more abstract wordplay.
This edition underscores the puzzle’s appeal: combining accessible gameplay with occasional head-scratching difficulty.
