Today’s NYT Sports Edition Connections Hints and Answers for Sept. 14, 2025

The New York Times Sports Edition Connections puzzle for September 14, 2025, has been solved. Fans of both sports and word games were quick to jump in as the daily challenge went live. The puzzle, published by The Athletic, brought together themes from athletics, basketball, football, and college sports.

This special sports version runs alongside the regular NYT Connections puzzle but focuses only on athletic themes. Today’s groups tested fans on both trivia and word association, with some tricky links to spot.

NYT Sports Edition Connections Puzzle Breakdown

The yellow group focused on track and field equipment. The answers were baton, hammer, hurdle, and pole. These words all connect to athletics events that highlight Olympic-style competitions.

The green group centered on purple and gold teams. The words were East Carolina, Lakers, LSU, and Vikings. Fans who recognized team colors solved this set quickly.

The blue group was tied to basketball star A’ja Wilson. The answers included A’one, Aces, MVP, and South Carolina. Wilson has won MVP honors and represents the Las Vegas Aces. She also played college ball at South Carolina.

The purple group featured alumni from the University of Washington. The answers were Moon, Penix, Plum, and Roy. These names represent athletes who gained fame after their time in Seattle.

According to coverage from major outlets, this edition balanced easier clues with harder ones. The purple group was the most challenging.

Why Today’s Puzzle Stood Out

Sports fans enjoyed seeing real team names and player connections. The Minnesota Vikings logo even appeared in the grid, giving NFL followers a clear hint. The mix of track events, team colors, basketball legends, and college stars made the challenge wide-ranging.

The Athletic continues to push the sports edition as a way to engage readers beyond news. Unlike the main NYT Games app, this version is hosted on The Athletic platform and free online.

Puzzle enthusiasts note that sports knowledge is often just as key as wordplay skills. Knowing A’ja Wilson’s history or recalling which schools use purple and gold made all the difference.

Impact for Fans and Readers

The growing popularity of Connections: Sports Edition shows how sports culture blends with gaming. Daily puzzles add variety for readers who already follow sports news. For fans, it is both a test of trivia and a quick brain exercise.

Long term, it may help The Athletic expand its audience. Adding games alongside news strengthens reader engagement. Fans of different sports can see their favorite teams and stars highlighted in fresh ways.

Today’s NYT Sports Edition Connections hints and answers once again prove why these puzzles keep fans hooked. Each set is short but smart. They remind readers that sports are about more than scores — they are about stories, history, and culture.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

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

The yellow group was track and field equipment. The answers were baton, hammer, hurdle, and pole.

Q2: Which teams were in the green group?

The green group theme was purple and gold teams. The answers were East Carolina, Lakers, LSU, and Vikings.

Q3: How was A’ja Wilson connected to the blue group?

The blue group had A’ja Wilson links. The answers were A’one, Aces, MVP, and South Carolina.

Q4: Who were in the purple group alumni set?

The purple group theme was University of Washington alumni. The answers were Moon, Penix, Plum, and Roy.

Q5: Where can players access NYT Sports Edition Connections?

The puzzle is available on The Athletic app and also free online. It does not appear in the regular NYT Games app.