Sports Connections Hints: Jan 21, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 21, 2026 (2026-01-21). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #693

Puzzle #693 · 2026-01-21 · 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 #693 for 2026-01-21, 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: VICTORY, PRO TEAMS WHOSE NAMES START WITH W, COLLOQUIAL NICKNAMES FOR COLLEGE TEAMS 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.

  • VICTORY
  • PRO TEAMS WHOSE NAMES START WITH W
  • COLLOQUIAL NICKNAMES FOR COLLEGE TEAMS
  • PLAYERS WITH 20-PLUS SACKS IN A SEASON

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.

VICTORY

WIN
W
DUB
TRIUMPH

PRO TEAMS WHOSE NAMES START WITH W

WILD
WARRIORS
WIZARDS
WHITE SOX

COLLOQUIAL NICKNAMES FOR COLLEGE TEAMS

CATS
HOOS
VOLS
ZAGS

PLAYERS WITH 20-PLUS SACKS IN A SEASON

WATT
WARE
GARRETT
HOUSTON

Reveal full answer

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

VICTORY

WIN
W
DUB
TRIUMPH

PRO TEAMS WHOSE NAMES START WITH W

WILD
WARRIORS
WIZARDS
WHITE SOX

COLLOQUIAL NICKNAMES FOR COLLEGE TEAMS

CATS
HOOS
VOLS
ZAGS

PLAYERS WITH 20-PLUS SACKS IN A SEASON

WATT
WARE
GARRETT
HOUSTON

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