The New York Times’ Connections: Sports Edition, published by The Athletic, presents a daily word puzzle designed to test your sports knowledge. The January 6th edition, #470, proved particularly challenging for some players. This guide provides hints and the complete answers for those seeking assistance.
Understanding the Puzzle
Connections requires players to group sixteen words into four categories of four. The difficulty stems from deceptive wording – athlete surnames disguised as common nouns, presented in all caps – and obscure sports terminology. The puzzle is available through The Athletic app or online, but not in the standard NYT Games app.
Hints for Each Category
The puzzle groups were categorized as follows:
- Yellow: The hint was “Go the other way.”
- Green: The hint was “Nothing but net.”
- Blue: The hint was “Fire it in there.”
- Purple: The hint was “Not front.”
Solutions Revealed
The answers to today’s Connections: Sports Edition are:
- Yellow: Change direction – pivot, turn, veer, zig.
- Green: Basketball shot types – alley-oop, fadeaway, floater, layup.
- Blue: Active MLB pitchers – Cease, Crochet, Wheeler, Woo.
- Purple: Back ____ – board, field, stop, stretch.
Challenging Categories from Past Editions
Previous editions have featured exceptionally difficult groupings. Notably:
- Series A Clubs: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.
- WNBA MVPs: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles, Stewart.
- Premier League team nicknames: Bees, Cherries, Foxes, Hammers.
These categories require specialized knowledge of international soccer or women’s basketball, making them particularly challenging for casual sports fans.
In conclusion, Connections: Sports Edition tests not just general knowledge but also familiarity with niche sports terminology. The puzzle’s difficulty varies depending on individual sports expertise, but the solutions above provide clarity for those seeking assistance.
