**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Aficionados**
*Connections: Sports Edition* is the newest extension of the widely enjoyed [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted to evaluate the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original *Connections*, this version prompts players to uncover “common links among words.” Additionally, akin to *Wordle*, the game resets each day at midnight, with every fresh puzzle becoming increasingly difficult. If you find yourself at an impasse, we offer hints and strategies to assist you.
If you are merely seeking today’s solution, scroll down to the conclusion of this article. However, if you’d rather work it out independently, continue reading for some beneficial strategies and tips.
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### What is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
This new daily word gaming experience from *The New York Times* is a partnership with *The Athletic*, the sports-driven segment owned by the Times. Participants can access *Connections* on various web browsers and mobile platforms. The goal? To categorize four words that share a common theme.
Each puzzle showcases 16 words that need to be arranged into four distinct categories. These categories may include anything from sports teams to book titles, software, or even country names. Although several words might appear to fit together, only one correct grouping exists for each set.
When players successfully identify a group, those words are eliminated from the board. Conversely, incorrect guesses are considered errors, with players permitted up to four mistakes before the game concludes. To facilitate connections, players can shuffle and rearrange the board for easier identification. Each category is color-coded, with yellow indicating the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes on social media.
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### Hints for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
In need of a little guidance? Here are some subtle clues for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Evade contact
– **Green:** Racing team sponsors
– **Blue:** Leaders in championship titles in basketball
– **Purple:** Teams sharing similar color palettes
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories Uncovered
Still finding it difficult? Here’s a summary of today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Move to evade a defender – *DODGE, DUCK, SIDESTEP, SWERVE*
– **Green:** F1 organizations – *ASTON MARTIN, FERRARI, MCLAREN, RED BULL*
– **Blue:** Teams holding the most NBA titles – *BULLS, CELTICS, LAKERS, WARRIORS*
– **Purple:** Teams whose primary colors are black and silver – *KINGS, RAIDERS, SPURS, WHITE SOX*
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### How to Engage and Triumph in *Connections: Sports Edition*
If you’re a newcomer to the game or aiming to enhance your skills, here are some tips to assist your success:
1. **Begin with the evident connections.** Seek out words that clearly fit together, such as team names or terms linked to a particular sport.
2. **Utilize the shuffle option.** Rearranging the board can aid in revealing patterns you might have overlooked.
3. **Think creatively.** Some links may not be apparent right away, so consider broader contexts.
4. **Be mindful of color coding.** Start with the simplest category (yellow) and progressively tackle the more challenging ones (purple).
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### No Worries If You Missed It
If you didn’t manage to solve today’s puzzle, don’t be concerned! A fresh *Connections* challenge will arrive tomorrow, and we will return with additional hints and solutions to assist you.
In search of more puzzles? Visit [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
Interested in trying another NYT game? [Here’s today’s *Wordle* solution](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-14-2025). Or, if you’re engaging with *Strands*, [here are today’s hints and solutions](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-14).
Enjoy puzzling!