Sports Connections Hints: Jan 2, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 2, 2026 (2026-01-02). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #674

Puzzle #674 · 2026-01-02 · 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 #674 for 2026-01-02, 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: FULL OF ENERGY, ACTIONS WITH A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS, ARCHERY TERMS 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.

FULL OF ENERGY
ACTIONS WITH A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS
ARCHERY TERMS
NHL TEAMS, WITH THE LAST LETTER CHANGED

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.

FULL OF ENERGY

RESTED

FRESH

INVIGORATED

RESTORED

ACTIONS WITH A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS

SHUFFLE

DEAL

CUT

DRAW

ARCHERY TERMS

ARROW

BULLSEYE

NOCK

QUIVER

NHL TEAMS, WITH THE LAST LETTER CHANGED

START

WILT

BLUEY

DUCKY

Reveal full answer

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