The latest New York Times Connections puzzle, the Sports Edition released January 8th, proved challenging for many players. The game, published through The Athletic (owned by The Times), requires identifying four groups of four words connected by a common theme. It’s available on The Athletic’s app or online for free, but does not appear in the NYT Games app.
Hints for Each Category
The puzzle is structured to increase in difficulty, with easier categories first. Here’s a breakdown of today’s hints:
- Yellow: Focuses on sports teams or figures directly associated with Washington, D.C.
- Green: Relates to the essential supplies kept by an athletic trainer for injuries and recovery.
- Blue: Centers on teams or leagues known for dominance in their respective sports.
- Purple: Requires recognizing a specific athlete whose first name is shared across multiple high-profile players.
Solutions Revealed
If you’re stuck, here are the answers for today’s puzzle:
- Yellow: Capital, Commander, Mystic, Wizard (all connected to DC-based sports).
- Green: Bandages, Ice Pack, Scissors, Tape (items found in a trainer’s kit).
- Blue: Breeze, Laces, Phantom, Vinyl (obscure nicknames of elite sports teams).
- Purple: Jerry Lucas, Jerry Rice, Jerry Stackhouse, Jerry West (all famous athletes named Jerry).
Toughest Categories
Some Connections puzzles stand out for their difficulty. Here are a few exceptionally challenging categories from recent games:
- Series A Clubs: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma (Italian soccer teams).
- WNBA MVPs: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles, Stewart (Women’s National Basketball Association most valuable players).
- Premier League Team Nicknames: Bees, Cherries, Foxes, Hammers (obscure nicknames for English soccer clubs).
The difficulty of Connections relies heavily on the player’s familiarity with the specific sports or leagues featured. Niche knowledge is often key to success.
The Connections puzzle remains a popular daily challenge for word game enthusiasts. Though it demands quick thinking and broad sports knowledge, it also tests the ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated terms.
