**Connections: Sports Edition – A New Challenge for Sports Enthusiasts**
*Connections: Sports Edition* offers a novel perspective on the well-known [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted specifically to assess the prowess of sports fans.
In a manner similar to the original *Connections*, this game tests players on their ability to uncover the “common threads linking words.” Like *Wordle*, [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-28-2024) refreshes each day at midnight, with new puzzles increasing in difficulty. For your convenience, we’ve included hints and strategies to assist you in tackling today’s challenge.
Should you wish to discover the solution immediately, scroll to the conclusion of this article. However, if you prefer to attempt the puzzle independently, continue reading for useful clues and insights.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
The *New York Times* has introduced this latest daily word game in partnership with *The Athletic*, its sports-oriented publication. [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-21-2024) is accessible on both web browsers and mobile platforms, with the goal of grouping four words that are thematically related.
Each puzzle includes 16 words, categorized into four groups. These categories can encompass anything from book titles to software applications or even nations. Although multiple words may initially appear to fit, there is only one correct configuration.
When players successfully identify a group of four related words, those words are removed from the board. However, incorrect guesses are considered mistakes; players have a limit of four mistakes before the game concludes.
To simplify gameplay, players have the option to shuffle the board to better identify connections. Each category is distinguished by color:
– **Yellow** – Easiest
– **Green** – Moderate
– **Blue** – Challenging
– **Purple** – Most difficult
Similar to *Wordle*, players can showcase their results on social media.
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### Hint for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Need a little assistance? Here are some hints for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** A dominant victory
– **Green:** Sports that utilize a similar tool
– **Blue:** A lead from beyond the arc
– **Purple:** Sports that involve a specific foul/penalty
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
If you seek additional guidance, here are today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Defeat soundly
– **Green:** Racket sports
– **Blue:** NBA career 3-point leaders
– **Purple:** Sports with false starts
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Answers
Still having trouble? Below are the correct groupings for today’s puzzle:
– **Defeat soundly** – **CRUSH, FLATTEN, PULVERIZE, TROUNCE**
– **Racket sports** – **BADMINTON, PICKLEBALL, SQUASH, TENNIS**
– **NBA career 3-point leaders** – **ALLEN, CURRY, HARDEN, LILLARD**
– **Sports with false starts** – **FOOTBALL, SPEED SKATING, SWIMMING, TRACK AND FIELD**
If you weren’t able to solve it this time, don’t be discouraged! A fresh *Connections* puzzle will be available tomorrow, and we’ll return with more hints and answers to assist you.
Interested in more puzzles? Explore [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and beyond.
Searching for yesterday’s *Connections* solution? [Locate it here](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-17-2025).