Excitement is in the air as another engaging game has joined the daily lineup of New York Times puzzles! For those who relish word games and already enjoy classics like Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword, there’s a new challenge to dive into: Connections Sports Edition.
This latest installment allows players to explore sports-themed word puzzles, enhancing the traditional Connections format. Every day at 12 a.m. EST, a new set of 16 words appears, and it’s up to players to group these into four categories of four words each, tapping into their sports knowledge and vocabulary.
The New York Times has partnered with The Athletic to bring this sports-specific version to life. Players are tasked with identifying words that share a common sports-related theme.
For today’s edition of Connections Sports on January 24, 2026, hints for the four categories are as follows:
– Yellow: Smack!
– Green: Collectibles.
– Blue: Puck pros.
– Purple: Toss it.
Identifying the categories can be tricky, but here’s a peek at what they entail:
1. HIT
2. SPORTS MEMORABILIA
3. FORMER NHL TEAMS, IN SINGULAR FORM
4. ENDS IN A SYNONYM FOR THROW
If you’re eager to see the answers for today’s puzzle, here they are:
– HIT: DECK, PUNCH, SLUG, STRIKE
– SPORTS MEMORABILIA: AUTOGRAPH, JERSEY, POSTER, TRADING CARD
– FORMER NHL TEAMS, IN SINGULAR FORM: COYOTE, NORDIQUE, THRASHER, WHALER
– ENDS IN A SYNONYM FOR THROW: BLOB, SHUFFLING, SURPASS, WOODCHUCK
Don’t hesitate if you didn’t solve them this time; it’s all part of the fun! This new addition promises to be a delightful way for sports fans and word enthusiasts alike to engage and challenge themselves daily.
As you continue to enjoy these puzzles, explore recent Wordle answers or other similar games to keep the enjoyment going. Let the wordplay begin!