Sports Connections Hints: Dec 12, 2025

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Dec 12, 2025 (2025-12-12). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #653

Puzzle #653 · 2025-12-12 · 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 #653 for 2025-12-12, 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: BAR GAMES, WAYS TO CATCH UP ON THE GAME, DESCRIPTORS FOR A SOFTLY HIT BASEBALL 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.

BAR GAMES
WAYS TO CATCH UP ON THE GAME
DESCRIPTORS FOR A SOFTLY HIT BASEBALL
DOG SHOW GROUPS

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.

BAR GAMES

POP-A-SHOT

SHUFFLEBOARD

DARTS

POOL

WAYS TO CATCH UP ON THE GAME

STORY

HIGHLIGHTS

REPLAY

BOX SCORE

DESCRIPTORS FOR A SOFTLY HIT BASEBALL

BLOOPER

DRIBBLER

DUCK SNORT

TEXAS LEAGUER

DOG SHOW GROUPS

SPORTING

WORKING

TOY

TERRIER

Reveal full answer

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