Players tackling today’s NYT Connections Sports Edition will find themselves navigating a grid filled with iconic athletes, popular sporting events, and terminology from across the athletic spectrum. Recognizing thematic linkages such as famous tennis stars, championship sports venues, or types of offensive plays can provide a crucial edge. For instance, grouping together elements related to basketball’s NBA Finals or soccer’s World Cup can help narrow down possibilities and speed up the solving process.

Key strategies to keep in mind include:

  • Start by identifying and connecting well-known sports acronyms and abbreviations.
  • Look for patterns in team names, player positions, or commonly paired phrases (e.g., “Home Run,” “Triple Double”).
  • Use process of elimination for terms that don’t fit neatly into recognizable sports categories.
  • Prioritize words related to recent major events or…