Sports Connections Hints: Jan 3, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 3, 2026 (2026-01-03). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #675

Puzzle #675 · 2026-01-03 · 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 #675 for 2026-01-03, 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: PARTS OF A FOOTBALL HELMET, BASEBALL PITCHES, OSCAR NOMINEES FOR PLAYING A BOXER 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.

PARTS OF A FOOTBALL HELMET
BASEBALL PITCHES
OSCAR NOMINEES FOR PLAYING A BOXER
_____ STORM

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.

PARTS OF A FOOTBALL HELMET

CHIN STRAP

FACE MASK

PADDING

SHELL

BASEBALL PITCHES

CUTTER

SPLITTER

CHANGEUP

SLIDER

OSCAR NOMINEES FOR PLAYING A BOXER

SWANK

STALLONE

DE NIRO

WASHINGTON

_____ STORM

HANNAH

COURT

SEATTLE

RED

Reveal full answer

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