**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Take on the Popular NYT Word Game**
*Connections: Sports Edition* stands as the newest offshoot of the beloved [*New York Times* word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted to put sports lovers to the test. Similar to the original *Connections*, this variation emphasizes uncovering “shared connections among words.” Additionally, akin to *Wordle*, the puzzle resets every day at midnight, with new challenges becoming increasingly challenging. To assist you, we’ve shared some hints and strategies to navigate through today’s puzzle.
If you’re looking for the answer to today’s puzzle, proceed to the end of this article. However, if you wish to solve it independently, continue reading for clues, tactics, and insights to enhance your expertise.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
This innovative daily word game from *The New York Times* was developed in partnership with *The Athletic*, the NYT’s sport-centered platform. Available on both web and mobile, *Connections: Sports Edition* invites players to organize four words that are linked by a common theme.
Each puzzle features 16 words, broken down into four categories. These categories may include sports teams and players or wider themes such as book titles or nations. Although various words may appear to connect, there is only one correct grouping for each set.
Here’s the process:
– If you successfully identify a group of four words, those words disappear from the board.
– Incorrect guesses are counted as errors, and players may make up to four errors before the game concludes.
– For convenience, you can shuffle the board to rearrange the words and discover connections more readily.
Each category is color-coded by level of difficulty: yellow (the easiest), followed by green, blue, and purple. Just like *Wordle*, you can share your results with friends on social media.
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### Hints for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Need a little assistance without revealing the answers? Here are some hints for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Act fast
– **Green:** Soccer team mascots
– **Blue:** Prominent tight ends
– **Purple:** Athletes well-known for playing in New York
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Still having trouble? Here’s a breakdown of today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Quick
– **Green:** Singular forms of MLS teams
– **Blue:** Leaders in career yards among tight ends in the NFL
– **Purple:** Athletes from New York
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### The Solution to Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Puzzle
Eager for the answers? This is your final opportunity to complete the puzzle before we disclose the solutions. Drumroll, please!
– **Quick:** BRISK, RAPID, SWIFT, ZIPPY
– **Singular forms of MLS teams:** EARTHQUAKE, SOUNDER, TIMBER, WHITECAP
– **Leaders in career yards among tight ends in the NFL:** GATES, GONZALEZ, KELCE, WITTEN
– **Athletes from New York:** IONESCU, JUDGE, RODGERS, SHESTERKIN
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Don’t fret if you didn’t solve it this time—tomorrow is another day! A new *Connections* puzzle will be ready for you, and we’ll return with additional hints and solutions to assist you.
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### Looking for More Puzzles?
If you’re also trying *NYT Strands*, [check today’s hints and answers here](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-2). And if you’re hungry for even more brain games, visit Mashable’s [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Here’s the solution to the previous puzzle](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-2-2025).