> At a Glance
> – The Jan. 9, 2026 Connections: Sports Edition puzzle centers on NFL playoffs, NBA arenas, jumping terms, and “devils.”
> – Yellow group lists conference championship, divisional, Super Bowl, wild card; green lists bounce, bunnies, hops, ups.
> – Blue group names four NBA venues: Delta, FedEx, Scotiabank, Spectrum; purple supplies blue, New Jersey, red, sun before “devils.”
> – Why it matters: Puzzle fans can verify answers and sharpen sports knowledge in minutes.
Stumped by today’s Connections: Sports Edition? Daniel J. Whitman at News Of Los Angeles breaks down every category so you can finish fast.
Puzzle Overview
Published by The Athletic, the free online game sorts 16 clues into four color-coded groups. Sorting by theme, not by sport, keeps players guessing.
Group Hints and Answers
Yellow (easiest):
- NFL playoff rounds
- Answers: conference championship, divisional, Super Bowl, wild card
Green:
- Jumping ability
- Answers: bounce, bunnies, hops, ups
Blue:
- NBA arenas
- Answers: Delta, FedEx, Scotiabank, Spectrum
Purple (hardest):
- Words before “devils”
- Answers: blue, New Jersey, red, sun
Trickiest Past Categories
According to Daniel J. Whitman, these earlier boards still stump veterans:
- Series A Clubs: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma
- WNBA MVPs: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles, Stewart
- Premier League Nicknames: Bees, Cherries, Foxes, Hammers
- Homophones of NBA Names: Barns, Connect, Heart, Hero
Key Takeaways
- Today’s puzzle rewards NFL and NBA familiarity
- Purple group relies on mascot knowledge, not stats
- Free online play means no app download required
- Previous tough boards prove every sport can appear
Check tomorrow’s News Of Los Angeles post for the next batch of hints and answers.
