Are you searching for the newest set of regular *Connections* solutions? If so, you’re in the right place. Simply click here to access the most up-to-date hints for today’s *Connections* puzzle, along with our comprehensive daily guide containing clues and answers for other popular New York Times Games — including the *Mini Crossword*, *Wordle*, and *Strands*. These resources are crafted to help both casual solvers and seasoned puzzle enthusiasts navigate each day’s mental challenge with confidence and enjoyment.
Today’s edition, titled *Connections: Sports Edition*, presents an eclectic and entertaining assortment of clues drawn from the realm of athletics. The puzzle is structured to feel like a true mix of sports culture, trivia, and clever word associations. While participants from all backgrounds can tackle it, those with a particular fondness for basketball — or a solid grasp of sports-related terminology — may find themselves at an advantage. But if today’s test of mental agility is proving tricky, don’t worry. You can continue reading for carefully constructed hints that will nudge you in the right direction, followed by the complete set of verified answers once you’re ready to confirm your guesses or check your work.
The *Connections: Sports Edition* puzzle is an offering from *The Athletic*, the well-known subscription-based platform dedicated to in-depth, high-quality sports journalism and analysis. Owned by *The New York Times*, *The Athletic* has made this puzzle series a distinct experience separate from the main lineup found within the NYT Games app. Instead, it is accessible through *The Athletic’s* own app as well as for free on its website, providing players with flexibility depending on their preferred method of play and access.
For those following development updates, the *NYT Connections: Sports Edition* puzzle recently transitioned out of its beta testing stage, marking an exciting milestone for its growing community of solvers and sports fans alike.
Below you’ll find four graded hints designed to guide your reasoning for today’s groupings in *Connections: Sports Edition*. These hints are arranged by difficulty, beginning with the most approachable **yellow group** and progressing through increasingly challenging levels — the **green**, **blue**, and finally, the notoriously perplexing **purple group**, which often contains the most surprising or unconventional connections.
**Yellow group hint:** Think of those moments when the action needs to be halted — when continuing to play would break the rules or disrupt the flow of the game.
**Green group hint:** Picture the exhilarating motion of a basketball soaring before being powerfully slammed through the hoop.
**Blue group hint:** Consider the elite players who have triumphed in a specialized NBA contest showcasing accuracy and range from beyond the arc.
**Purple group hint:** Reflect on the vibrant mascots representing college teams — those distinctive characters that symbolize school spirit and athletic pride.
Now, let’s look at the answers for today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* puzzle.
**Yellow group:** The theme here revolves around “signals for play to stop.” The four words are *buzzer*, *horn*, *siren*, and *whistle* — each of which instantly commands attention and halts the action on the field or court, signifying pauses, fouls, or the end of play.
**Green group:** Representing the theme of *dunks*, this group includes the following impressive moves: *360*, *between-the-legs*, *reverse*, and *windmill*. Each term evokes a different style of the signature basketball finish, combining artistry, athleticism, and crowd-pleasing flair.
**Blue group:** Focused on *NBA 3-point contest winners*, this group pays tribute to past champions known for their long-range shooting excellence. The answers — *Herro*, *Hield*, *Love*, and *Pierce* — each correspond to distinguished players who have showcased precision and composure under pressure in one of the All-Star Weekend’s most celebrated competitions.
**Purple group:** Centered on *college mascots*, this final and often most challenging category includes *Big Al*, *Brutus*, *Otto*, and *Rameses*. Each name represents the spirited identity of a different collegiate program, capturing the colorful diversity and tradition of American college sports culture.
For a deeper understanding of how *Connections: Sports Edition* continues to evolve, you can also explore more coverage on its ongoing development, including how it expanded from a test initiative into a staple of *The Athletic’s* interactive offerings. And if your curiosity extends beyond today’s puzzle, visit our *Wordle Cheat Sheet* to examine which letters occur most frequently in the English language — an invaluable aid for anyone keen on improving their daily word-game performance.
Finally, the completed *New York Times Connections: Sports Edition* puzzle for February 14, 2026, is fully summarized here. Each color-coded grouping corresponds to a precise theme, ensuring solvers can verify their reasoning and learn from the interconnections between words. From stop signals and dunk variations to sharpshooting legends and campus mascots, today’s puzzle encapsulates the thrill of sports logic at its finest — engaging your mind with the same intensity that athletes bring to the game itself.
Sourse: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/todays-nyt-connections-sports-edition-hints-and-answers-for-feb-14-509/
