Fans of daily word puzzles have another challenge to enjoy with the Connections Sports Edition. If you’re trying to solve today’s puzzle but feel stuck, here are some helpful hints and the full answers for Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The sports-themed version of the popular puzzle is part of a collaboration between The New York Times and The Athletic, offering a fresh twist for sports fans who already enjoy games like Wordle, Strands, and the Mini Crossword.

What Is NYT Connections Sports Edition?

Connections Sports Edition follows the same format as the original Connections puzzle. The game resets daily at midnight EST and presents players with 16 words.

Players must identify four groups of four words, each linked by a common theme or category. The difference in the sports edition is that all clues relate to sports terms, teams, or famous athletes.

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Hints for Today’s Connections Sports Edition (March 12, 2026)

Here are some clues to help you figure out the four categories:

• Yellow: City of Brotherly Love teams
• Green: A term commonly used before “back” in football
• Blue: Think animals
• Purple: Names that sound like letters

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Today’s Connections Sports Edition Categories

If you need a stronger hint, here are the official categories used in today’s puzzle:

• Philadelphia Teams
• Words Appearing Before “Back” in Football
• Associated With Derrick Henry
• New Orleans Pelicans

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⚠️ Spoiler Alert: The answers are below. Stop reading here if you want to solve the puzzle on your own.

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NYT Connections Sports Edition Answers for March 12, 2026

Philadelphia Teams

• 76ERS
• FLYERS
• PENN
• TEMPLE

Associated With Larry Bird

• CELTICS
• FRENCH LICK
• PACERS
• SYCAMORES

Sports Figures With Animal Names

• Bear Bryant
• Cat Osterman
• Catfish Hunter
• Tiger Woods

Sports Figures Whose First Names Sound Like Two Letters

• Casey Stengel
• CeeDee Lamb
• Katie Ledecky
• Vijay Singh

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If you didn’t solve today’s puzzle, don’t worry—Connections can be tricky even for experienced players. A new puzzle will be available tomorrow, giving you another chance to test your sports knowledge and pattern-spotting skills.