**Connections: Sports Edition – An Engaging Challenge for Sports Fans**
*Connections: Sports Edition* is the newest branch of the well-known [*New York Times* word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted to evaluate the knowledge of sports aficionados.
Similar to the original *Connections*, the objective is to uncover “common links among words.” Much like *Wordle*, [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-28-2024) resets every day at midnight, with each new puzzle offering greater difficulty. If you find yourself at a standstill, we have hints and tactics to assist you.
For those who simply seek the answer, scroll to the conclusion of this article. However, if you wish to solve the puzzle independently, continue reading for useful tips and clues to assist you.
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### What is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
In collaboration with *The Athletic*, its sports-oriented platform, the *New York Times* has launched this fresh daily word game. Accessible on both web and mobile devices, *Connections: Sports Edition* invites players to classify four words sharing a common theme.
Every puzzle is made up of 16 words divided into four categories. These categories can include sports teams or game-related terms, and while many words may appear to fit together, there is only one correct combination for each group.
When players successfully categorize four words, those words are eliminated from the game board. However, incorrect selections are counted as errors, and players can make up to four mistakes before the game concludes. To facilitate the process, players can shuffle the board for a clearer perspective on potential connections.
Each category is marked by a color indicating difficulty: yellow represents the easiest level, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes on social media to compare them with friends.
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### How to Play *Connections: Sports Edition*
Every day, *Connections: Sports Edition* offers a new puzzle featuring four categories. Here’s a hint for today’s categories to kick off your gameplay:
– **Yellow:** Members of
– **Green:** Cities that have an original hockey team
– **Blue:** Share a mascot
– **Purple:** Related to a game played on the green
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories and Answers
Need additional assistance? Here are today’s categories along with their answers:
– **Yellow:** *Team* – **CREW, GROUP, SIDE, SQUAD**
– **Green:** *Original six NHL teams* – **BOSTON, MONTREAL, NEW YORK, TORONTO**
– **Blue:** *Panthers* – **CAROLINA, FLORIDA, NORTHERN IOWA, PITTSBURGH**
– **Purple:** *Golf _____* – **CART, CLAP, CLUB, COURSE**
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### Tips for Success
If you weren’t able to crack today’s puzzle, don’t fret! A new *Connections* challenge will be released tomorrow, and we’ll return with more hints and solutions to assist you.
Searching for other games to enjoy? Visit Mashable’s [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more. And if you’re engaged in *NYT Strands*, we have [hints and answers for today’s puzzle](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-9).
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Whether you’re a dedicated sports fan or simply enjoy a delightful word game, *Connections: Sports Edition* is an enjoyable way to evaluate your knowledge and stimulate your mind. Join us tomorrow for the next challenge!