Connections Hints: May 15, 2026

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on May 15, 2026 (2026-05-15). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #1143

Puzzle #1143 · 2026-05-15

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #1143 for 2026-05-15, edition main, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER, MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS, NON-PALINDROMIC WORDS IN A FAMOUS PALINDROME and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER
MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS
NON-PALINDROMIC WORDS IN A FAMOUS PALINDROME
HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER

CROSS

FORD

TRAVERSE

WADE

MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS

BIRD

CURRY

JAMES

JORDAN

NON-PALINDROMIC WORDS IN A FAMOUS PALINDROME

ABLE

ELBA

SAW

WAS

HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY

CIAO

PALM

PEEK

PITT

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.