Sports Connections Hints: Jan 6, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 6, 2026 (2026-01-06). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #678

Puzzle #678 · 2026-01-06 · 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 #678 for 2026-01-06, 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: CHANGE DIRECTION, BASKETBALL SHOT TYPES, ACTIVE MLB PITCHERS 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.

CHANGE DIRECTION
BASKETBALL SHOT TYPES
ACTIVE MLB PITCHERS
BACK_____

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.

CHANGE DIRECTION

TURN

PIVOT

VEER

ZIG

BASKETBALL SHOT TYPES

FADEAWAY

FLOATER

LAYUP

ALLEY-OOP

ACTIVE MLB PITCHERS

CEASE

CROCHET

WOO

WHEELER

BACK_____

STOP

BOARD

FIELD

STRETCH

Reveal full answer

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