At a Glance
- The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for January 24, 2026 (No. 488) has been solved.
- Four color groups-yellow, green, blue, and purple-each contain four hidden words.
- Themes include hit, sports memorabilia, former NHL teams, and words ending in a synonym for throw.
- Knowing the answers helps players finish the puzzle quickly and enjoy the daily challenge.
Why it matters: Knowing the answers helps players finish the puzzle quickly and enjoy the daily challenge.
The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for January 24, 2026 (No. 488) is a daily word-play challenge that appears on The Athletic’s platform. It is not part of the NYT Games app, but it can be accessed for free online or through The Athletic’s own app. The puzzle invites players to find hidden words inside a grid, grouped by color, with each group offering a distinct theme.
Puzzle Overview
The puzzle is divided into four color groups. Each group contains four answers that fit a particular theme. The color codes-yellow, green, blue, and purple-are used to guide players toward the hidden words.
Group Hints and Themes
| Color | Hint | Theme | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Smack! | Hit | deck, punch, slug, strike |
| Green | Collectibles | Sports memorabilia | autograph, jersey, poster, trading card |
| Blue | Puck pros | Former NHL teams (singular) | Coyote, Nordique, Thrasher, Whaler |
| Purple | Toss it | Ends in a synonym for throw | blob (lob), shuffling (fling), surpass (pass), woodchuck (chuck) |
The hints are designed to point toward the group’s theme. For example, “Smack!” leads to the theme of hit, while “Collectibles” signals sports memorabilia.
Full Answers
- Yellow group: deck, punch, slug, strike
- Green group: autograph, jersey, poster, trading card
- Blue group: Coyote, Nordique, Thrasher, Whaler
- Purple group: blob (lob), shuffling (fling), surpass (pass), woodchuck (chuck)
These answers complete the puzzle and allow players to cross out the words in the grid.
Puzzle Publication Details
- Publisher: The Athletic, a subscription-based sports-focused publication owned by The Times.
- Release Status: Part of a beta release, noted in the article as “NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta.”
- Puzzle Number: No. 488, indicating its place in the daily series.
Accessing the Puzzle
- Online: Visit The Athletic’s website and navigate to the NYT Connections section.
- App: Open The Athletic’s mobile app and locate the Connections puzzle for the current date.
- Subscription: The puzzle is available to subscribers of The Athletic.
The puzzle is also free to view online, making it accessible to a broad audience without a subscription.
Puzzle Availability
- Not in NYT Games app: The puzzle does not appear in the NYT Games app.
- Available on The Athletic’s platform: Both web and mobile app provide access.
- Daily release: A new puzzle is released each day, encouraging regular engagement.
Puzzle Beta Release
The article notes that the puzzle is part of a beta release, indicating that the format and presentation may still be evolving. Players can provide feedback through The Athletic’s channels.
Key Takeaways
- The puzzle’s solution is fully revealed, making it easier to enjoy the daily challenge.
- The themes are diverse, covering sports action, memorabilia, and hockey history.
- The puzzle is accessible through The Athletic’s platform, not the NYT Games app.
Yellow Group Details
The yellow group uses the hint Smack! and is themed around hit. The answers deck, punch, slug, and strike all relate to hitting. Players find these words hidden in the grid.
Green Group Details
The green group uses the hint Collectibles and is themed around sports memorabilia. The answers autograph, jersey, poster, and trading card are all items collectors seek. These words are hidden within the puzzle grid.
Blue Group Details
The blue group uses the hint Puck pros and is themed around former NHL teams. The answers Coyote, Nordique, Thrasher, and Whaler are all team names. Each word is hidden in the puzzle grid.
Purple Group Details
The purple group uses the hint Toss it and is themed around words ending in a synonym for throw. The answers blob (lob), shuffling (fling), surpass (pass), and woodchuck (chuck) all end with such synonyms. These words are hidden in the puzzle grid.
Puzzle Design Choices
The puzzle uses color coding to separate the four themes. Each group’s color helps players identify the hidden words quickly. This design choice is common in NYT Connections puzzles.
Puzzle Availability on The Athletic
The puzzle is available on The Athletic’s website and mobile app. Players can access it for free online or through the app. The puzzle is not found in the NYT Games app.
Puzzle Release Context
The puzzle was released as part of the daily NYT Connections: Sports Edition series. It appears on The Athletic’s platform each day. The series is part of the broader NYT puzzle offering.
Puzzle Beta Release
The puzzle is part of a beta release, indicating that the format may still be evolving. Players are encouraged to provide feedback. Feedback is collected through The Athletic’s channels.
Puzzle Engagement
The daily release encourages regular engagement among puzzle solvers. Players return each day to test their word-play skills. The puzzle’s themes keep the challenge fresh.
Puzzle Community Feedback
Players can provide feedback through The Athletic’s channels. The beta release note invites community input. Feedback helps refine future puzzle releases.
Puzzle Impact
Knowing the answers helps players finish the puzzle quickly. It also reduces frustration for those stuck. The guide enhances the overall puzzle experience.
Puzzle Summary
All answers for the January 24, 2026 puzzle have been revealed. Players can now cross out the words in the grid. The puzzle is complete.
Puzzle Conclusion
The guide provides a comprehensive solution. It ensures a smooth puzzle experience. Enjoy the rest of the NYT Connections: Sports Edition series.
Puzzle Final Thoughts
The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzles blend wordplay with sports knowledge. They offer a daily mental workout for fans. Keep checking The Athletic for new challenges.
