Introduction to Connections: Sports Edition

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle has officially moved out of its beta phase and made its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9. This milestone indicates that the game has garnered a loyal player base, encouraging The Athletic, a subscription-based sports journalism platform owned by The New York Times, to continue publishing it. While the puzzle is not available in the NYT Games app, it can be accessed through The Athletic‘s app or played for free online. This transition highlights the growing popularity of the game, which combines fun and sports trivia for fans worldwide.

How to Play Connections: Sports Edition

For those new to Connections: Sports Edition, the game involves identifying patterns or themes that link sets of words or clues. Each puzzle is divided into groups of words, with hints provided to help players solve the connections. The game is designed to appeal to sports enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of trivia and wordplay. The categories are designed to be challenging yet engaging, often requiring a mix of sports knowledge and creative thinking.

Hints for Today’s Puzzle

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle features four groups, each with its own theme and difficulty level. The yellow group is the easiest, while the purple group is the most challenging. Here’s a breakdown of the hints for each group:

• Yellow Group: The theme revolves around volleyball lingo. Think about common terms used in volleyball that describe specific actions or plays.
• Green Group: This group focuses on places where sports are played. Consider different venues associated with various sports.
• Blue Group: The blue group is all about recent MLB MVPs (Most Valuable Players). Players who have won the MVP award in recent years are the key to solving this group.
• Purple Group: The purple group is the most complex, with a theme tied to players famously traded to Los Angeles. Think about high-profile athletes who have been traded to LA-based teams.

Answers to Today’s Puzzle

For those looking to check their progress or solve the puzzle outright, here are the answers for today’s groups:

• Yellow Group: The volleyball lingo terms are bump, kill, set, and spike.
• Green Group: The venues for sport are court, pool, ring, and rink.
• Blue Group: The recent MLB MVPs are Acuña, Goldschmidt, Judge, and Ohtani.
• Purple Group: The players famously traded to Los Angeles are Betts, Dončić, Gretzky, and Stafford.

Featured Athletes and Puzzle Highlights

In addition to the word-based clues, today’s puzzle includes two athlete photos as visual hints. This mixed-medium approach adds an extra layer of fun and challenge for players. Some athletes enjoy the recognition they receive from being featured in the puzzle, while others might find it less appealing. Nevertheless, the inclusion of athlete photos makes the game more engaging and interactive for sports fans.

Availability and Future of Connections: Sports Edition

As Connections: Sports Edition continues to grow in popularity, fans can expect more puzzles and updates in the future. The game is available through The Athletic‘s app or online for free, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether you’re a casual sports fan or a die-hard enthusiast, the puzzle offers a fresh and exciting way to test your knowledge of sports history, terminology, and culture.