**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Aficionados**
*Connections: Sports Edition* is a thrilling offshoot of the well-known [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted specifically to challenge the knowledge of sports fans.
Much like the original *Connections*, the aim is to discover the common themes that connect different words. Similar to *Wordle*, [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-28-2024) resets daily at midnight, with each new puzzle becoming increasingly difficult. To assist you, we’ve included some hints and strategies to guide you through today’s challenge.
If you’re seeking today’s solution, scroll down to the conclusion of this article. However, if you’d rather figure it out independently, continue reading for useful clues and tips.
### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
The *New York Times* has introduced this daily word game in collaboration with *The Athletic*, its sports-centric publication. [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-24-2024) can be accessed on both web browsers and mobile devices. The aim is to group four words that are connected by a common theme.
Each puzzle features 16 words that need to be categorized into four separate groups. These categories can include anything from book titles to software names, countries, and beyond. While some words may appear to align, there is only one accurate solution.
If you successfully identify a set of four words, they will be removed from the board. However, making an incorrect guess counts as a mistake. Players have up to four mistakes allowed before the game concludes.
To streamline the game, players can rearrange the board to more easily identify connections. Each category is color-coded:
– **Yellow** – Easiest
– **Green** – Moderate
– **Blue** – Challenging
– **Purple** – Most difficult
Similar to *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes with friends on social media.
### Hints for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Need some assistance without giving away the answers? Here are hints for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Guards and forwards
– **Green:** Mascots in the San Francisco area
– **Blue:** Cities home to universities from the same conference
– **Purple:** Share the identical first name
### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
If you require a little push, here are today’s category themes:
– **Yellow:** Initial words in basketball positions
– **Green:** Bay Area teams (singular form)
– **Blue:** SEC cities
– **Purple:** David _________
### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Answers
Prepared for the solution? This is your final opportunity to decipher the puzzle before we disclose the answers!
Drumroll, please…
The answers for today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* #181 are:
– **Initial words in basketball positions** – **POINT, POWER, SHOOTING, SMALL**
– **Bay Area teams (singular form)** – **GIANT, SHARK, VALKYRIE, WARRIOR**
– **SEC cities** – **AUBURN, AUSTIN, NORMAN, TUSCALOOSA**
– **David _______** – **BECKHAM, MONTGOMERY, ORTIZ, ROBINSON**
If you didn’t succeed this time, don’t fret! A new *Connections* puzzle will emerge tomorrow, and we’ll be available with more hints to guide you.
In search of additional word games? Try [today’s *Wordle* answer](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-march-23-2025) or explore [NYT Strands hints and solutions](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-march-23-2025).
Craving even more puzzles? Check out [Mashable’s Games Hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and much more!
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Discover the solution here](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-march-23-2025).