Sports Connections Hints: May 23, 2025

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on May 23, 2025 (2025-05-23). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #433

Puzzle #433 · 2025-05-23 · sports

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 #433 for 2025-05-23, edition sports, 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: COLLEGE STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS, BIG 12 SCHOOLS, LAKERS IN THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME 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.

  • COLLEGE STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS
  • BIG 12 SCHOOLS
  • LAKERS IN THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
  • FIRST WORDS IN NFL TEAM LOCATIONS

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.

COLLEGE STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS

FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
SENIOR

BIG 12 SCHOOLS

COLORADO
WEST VIRGINIA
TCU
TEXAS TECH

LAKERS IN THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

BAYLOR
WEST
WORTHY
O'NEAL

FIRST WORDS IN NFL TEAM LOCATIONS

NEW
SAN
GREEN
KANSAS

Reveal full answer

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

COLLEGE STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS

FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
SENIOR

BIG 12 SCHOOLS

COLORADO
WEST VIRGINIA
TCU
TEXAS TECH

LAKERS IN THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

BAYLOR
WEST
WORTHY
O'NEAL

FIRST WORDS IN NFL TEAM LOCATIONS

NEW
SAN
GREEN
KANSAS

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