The New York Times’ Connections puzzle continues to challenge players daily, and today’s Sports Edition (#389) is no exception. Published through The Athletic, this variant tests your ability to categorize words into four distinct groups. If you’re stuck, here’s a breakdown of the hints and full solutions.
Understanding the Puzzle
Connections requires finding four groups of four words each. The difficulty varies, with the colors indicating the challenge: yellow (easiest), green (medium), blue (hard), and purple (most difficult). This edition follows the same format.
Hints for Each Group
To help you solve without revealing everything, here are hints ranked by difficulty:
- Yellow Group: This one’s about accepting defeat.
- Green Group: Think basketball scoring plays.
- Blue Group: These are components you’d find on headwear.
- Purple Group: A common phrase involving an incline.
Answers Revealed
If you prefer to skip the struggle, here are the solutions:
- Yellow Group (Theme: Give Up): Allow, Concede, Surrender, Yield.
- Green Group (Theme: Shots in Basketball): Dunk, Finger Roll, Hook, Jumper.
- Blue Group (Theme: Parts of a Hat): Bill, Button, Closure, Eyelet.
- Purple Group (Theme: ____ Hill): Chapel, Chestnut, Grant, Rich.
The puzzle’s difficulty often comes from unexpected connections; the purple group, in particular, can be tricky. The Sports Edition adds an extra layer of specificity, making it more accessible to those familiar with athletic terminology.
Solving Connections daily is a mental exercise that rewards pattern recognition and creative thinking. Whether you seek a quick win or a satisfying challenge, this puzzle offers both.
