Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Sept. 11

The New York Times released the latest Connections: Sports Edition puzzle on Thursday, September 11, 2025. This is puzzle number 353. The challenge included four groups, ranging from simple sports terms to tricky anagrams of NBA teams. Many fans found the purple group especially difficult.

The puzzle is published by The Athletic, which is part of the Times. It is not available in the main NYT Games app but can be played in The Athletic app or online. According to CNET, the game continues to grow in popularity among sports and puzzle fans.

NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints Explained

The yellow group came with the hint “Nadia or Olga.” This pointed to gymnastics apparatus. The answers were bars, beam, floor, and vault.

The green group carried the hint “Hit the gym.” The correct set was exercises: burpee, crunch, lunge, and squat.

The blue group said “College football’s best player.” This clue meant Heisman Trophy winners. The right answers were Burrow, Bush, Crouch, and Tebow.

The toughest was the purple group. The hint was “Hoops teams, but mixed up.” This was about anagrams of NBA teams. The four words were parrots (Raptors), recaps (Pacers), sent (Nets), and shorten (Hornets). Many players found this one the hardest.

Why the Puzzle Matters

Connections: Sports Edition is more than a daily word game. It mixes sports trivia with puzzle-solving. Fans of different sports can test their knowledge while also playing with language.

For example, people who follow gymnastics or college football had an easier time today. Those who love the NBA and wordplay had an edge in the purple group. The puzzle keeps sports fans engaged while also attracting casual solvers.

The Athletic uses this format to link sports news with interactive content. According to AP reports on puzzle trends, these games help boost reader loyalty and time spent on apps. That is why the Sports Edition is getting strong traction.

Broader Impact for Puzzle Fans

The mix of trivia and wordplay makes each day unique. Some days focus on soccer clubs or baseball stats. Other days lean on nicknames or MVP lists.

Players share their results on social media. Many compete with friends to see who spots the toughest group first. The variation makes the puzzle unpredictable, which is part of its charm.

The sports version also widens the reach of the NYT puzzle family. Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Sports Edition together form a strong daily routine for many users.

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition hints and answers again prove how sports and puzzles combine to challenge the mind and entertain readers.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was the yellow group in today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition?

The yellow group was gymnastics apparatus. The words were bars, beam, floor, and vault.

Q2: What did the green group represent?

The green group was exercises. The four were burpee, crunch, lunge, and squat.

Q3: Who were the blue group answers linked to?

The blue group linked to Heisman Trophy winners. They were Burrow, Bush, Crouch, and Tebow.

Q4: What was special about the purple group today?

The purple group had anagrams of NBA teams. It included parrots, recaps, sent, and shorten.

Q5: Where can players access NYT Connections: Sports Edition?

It is available in The Athletic app and also online. It does not appear in the main NYT Games app.