Mid-week puzzles always have a way of throwing a curveball, and today’s NYT Connections (Game #969) is no different. If you’re finding yourself stuck between a “Rivalry” and a “Conflict,” or trying to figure out what “Netscape” has to do with sports, you’ve come to the right place.

Here is the full breakdown of the hints and answers for Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

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Hints for Today’s Categories

If you just want a nudge in the right direction without seeing the final groups, try these clues:

• 🟨 Yellow: These words describe a state of disagreement or clashing.
• 🟩 Green: Think of activities where the outcome is left entirely up to fate.
• 🟦 Blue: These are informal ways to say “approximately” or “roughly.”
• 🟪 Purple: Look closely at the first few letters of each word; there’s a professional sports theme hidden in plain sight.

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Today’s Connections Answers

🟨 Yellow: CONTENTION

These are straightforward synonyms for a lack of harmony or an ongoing dispute.

• CONFLICT, DISCORD, FRICTION, RIVALRY

🟩 Green: GAMES OF CHANCE

Whether it’s a high-stakes casino floor or a simple card game at home, these are all about luck.

• BINGO, CRAPS, LOTTERY, WAR

🟦 Blue: MORE OR LESS, COLLOQUIALLY

These words are used when you’re giving an estimate rather than a precise number.

• APPROX, BOUT, LIKE, ROUND

Note: In this context, “bout” is a shortened, colloquial form of “about.”

🟪 Purple: STARTING WITH NBA TEAMS

This is today’s trickiest category. Each word begins with the name of an NBA team (Bulls, Heat, Magic, Nets).

• BULLSEYE, HEATED, MAGICAL, NETSCAPE

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How Did You Do?

The inclusion of WAR and CONFLICT in the same grid was a classic red herring, often leading players to try a “battle” category first. Additionally, seeing BOUT and ROUND together might have made you think of boxing, but today they were strictly for estimation!