If you’re on the hunt for the most up-to-date and reliable solutions to the regular Connections puzzle, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find not only the most recent set of Connections hints and answers but also a comprehensive collection of daily tips and solutions for other beloved New York Times word games — including the ever-popular Mini Crossword, the strategic Wordle, and the thought-provoking Strands puzzles. This page serves as your all-in-one access point to keep your puzzle-solving streak alive.
Today’s feature focuses on Connections: Sports Edition — a version that is both lively and intellectually engaging. This particular installment stands out for its creativity and playful use of themes that blend language, sports knowledge, and clever wordplay. The puzzle’s blue group, for instance, evokes nostalgic memories of trading cards tucked beside sticks of dusty pink bubblegum, reminiscent of childhood collections. Meanwhile, the purple group challenges solvers to discern the hidden names woven within clues — a subtle test of both observation and word association. If you find yourself stumped but still eager to experience the satisfaction of solving rather than simply reading the answers, continue below for carefully crafted hints that guide without giving too much away, followed by the complete solutions when you’re ready to check your work.
Connections: Sports Edition is a special spin-off published by The Athletic — a digital platform known for its in-depth, subscription-based sports journalism, and now part of The New York Times family. Though this puzzle variant isn’t integrated into the NYT Games app, it resides comfortably within The Athletic’s own application. For those who prefer not to install an app, there’s also the convenient option to play it free of charge directly through The Athletic’s website.
For readers intrigued by how this unique Sports Edition evolved, be sure to explore the related article “NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta,” which delves into its development and the growing popularity among sports and puzzle enthusiasts alike.
Now, let’s move on to today’s hints for the Connections: Sports Edition groupings. The four categories — ranked from the relatively approachable yellow group to the most challenging and occasionally unconventional purple group — form the framework of today’s mental exercise:
**Yellow group hint:** Splish-splash — a playful nudge suggesting something related to water activities.
**Green group hint:** Vroom! — the unmistakable sound of acceleration, inviting you to think fast-paced and energetic.
**Blue group hint:** Cards and gum — a clear homage to classic sports card collections.
**Purple group hint:** Racket stars — guiding your attention toward the tennis court and famous figures in that realm.
Now that you’ve considered the clues, let’s uncover the complete set of answers for each group in today’s Sports Edition puzzle:
**Yellow group:** Aquatic sports verbs — words depicting motion and technique in water-centered activities. The four fitting answers are *kayak*, *row*, *sail*, and *swim*. Each verb reflects a different method of navigating or propelling oneself through water, from the rhythmic pull of rowing to the elegant gliding motion of sailing.
**Green group:** Speed — a simple yet dynamic concept expressed through varied linguistic forms. The four answers — *mustard*, *pop*, *velocity*, and *zip* — all convey energy and quickness, whether through idiomatic expressions or literal terms for fast movement.
**Blue group:** Sports card brands — recognizable names that have been part of sports memorabilia culture for decades. The four answers are *Leaf*, *Panini*, *Topps*, and *Upper Deck*, all representing influential manufacturers behind collectible trading cards.
**Purple group:** Tennis Grand Slam winners, with each name cleverly altered by removing a single letter. The answers — *ash* (for Arthur Ashe), *kin* (from Billie Jean King), *nada* (derived from Rafael Nadal), and *William* (referencing Serena and Venus Williams) — create a sophisticated wordplay connection between shortened forms and legendary players.
By connecting these clues, players can fully grasp the ingenuity of today’s Sports Edition, dated February 1, 2026. It’s a puzzle that merges linguistic reasoning with a touch of sports nostalgia, making it particularly rewarding for those who appreciate both mental challenges and athletic culture.
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Sourse: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/todays-nyt-connections-sports-edition-hints-and-answers-for-feb-1-496/
