NYT Connections Sports Edition for May 18, 2025: Clues and Solutions

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” Just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier—so we’ve provided some hints and tips to help you out. If you prefer to jump straight to the solution for today’s puzzle, you can find it at the end of this article. However, if you’d rather solve it on your own, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies.

What is Connections Sports Edition? The NYT’s latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication’s sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices, requiring players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets can include anything from book titles to software and country names. Even though multiple words may seem to fit together, there’s only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong, and it counts as a mistake—players can make up to four mistakes before the game ends.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded, with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share your results with friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections Sports Edition categories: Want a hint about the categories without being told? Then give these a try: Yellow: Successful game; Green: Three strikes; Blue: Video games; Purple: NBA GOAT.

Here are today’s Connections Sports Edition categories: Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions. Drumroll, please! The solution to today’s Connections Sports Edition #237 is…

Win – DUB, TRIUMPH, VICTORY, W
Strike Out – FAN, K, RING UP, WHIFF
Classic Sports Video Games – NBA JAM, NFL BLITZ, PUNCH-OUT, TECMO BOWL
Associated with Michael Jordan – 23, 6 RINGS, HIS AIRNESS, LAST DANCE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands. If you’re looking for more puzzles, Hotnchill has a variety of games available. Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.