The New York Times has launched its latest interactive challenge, Connections: Sports Edition, a word game that invites sports enthusiasts to showcase their knowledge in a fun and engaging way. This new spin on the popular word puzzle format, developed by Wynna Liu, debuted on March 24, 2025, and promises to add a fresh dimension to the daily puzzle scene.
Connections: Sports Edition presents players with the task of grouping 16 words into four distinct categories, each featuring a common thread among them. Much like its predecessor, the original Connections, this new version aims to not only entertain but also to challenge the mental faculties of its users. As noted by Liu, "The simple and intuitive interface...will encourage users to practise their skills and broaden their vocabulary while engaging with a vibrant international community," adding a social layer to individual gameplay.
The puzzles reset daily at midnight, ensuring enthusiasts can tackle a new set of words each day. Gamers are encouraged to solve these puzzles collaboratively or contend with friends, with the added fun of sharing results on social media platforms. Today’s puzzle—game number 182—has a difficulty rating of 3.5 out of 5, making it both accessible for newcomers and challenging for seasoned players.
Today's puzzle is divided into four color-coded categories meant to indicate their relative difficulty. The easiest group, marked in yellow, focuses on four main swimming strokes; the next group, in green, features types of fantasy leagues; followed by the blue group highlighting NBA No. 1 picks; and finally, the purple group which involves NFL quarterbacks with a missing letter.
For those seeking hints, the clues for today include: Yellow group hint: Splish-splash; Green group hint: Win your league; Blue group hint: Star hoopsters; Purple group hint: Signal callers. These helpful hints are designed to steer players toward successful groupings without giving away the answers outright. As Wynna Liu urges players, "Don't be afraid to start your Connections journey and become one of the growing number of participants!"
The answers to the Connections Sports Edition puzzle for today are as follows:
- Four main swimming strokes: BACK, BREAST, FLY, FREE
- Types of fantasy leagues: DYNASTY, KEEPER, REDRAFT, ROTISSERIE
- NBA No. 1 picks: BRAND, TOWNS, WALL, WORTHY
- NFL QBs, minus a letter: COUSIN, FIELD, HURT, MAY
As players conclude today’s challenge, those who might have stumbled can take solace in the promise of tomorrow’s puzzle, ready to test their resolve and sharpen their skills yet again. There will always be more Connections to explore, and the community around these games continues to grow and thrive.
For avid word game enthusiasts seeking additional puzzles, the New York Times has ensured that each edition maintains a robust format, consistently offering fresh challenges. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned puzzle solver, the Connections: Sports Edition offers a fun way to engage with language and sports while sharpening your mental faculties.
Stay tuned for the next word challenge, and don't forget to share your scores and strategies with fellow players!
