Sports Connections Hints: Jan 26, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 26, 2026 (2026-01-26). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #698

Puzzle #698 · 2026-01-26 · 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 #698 for 2026-01-26, 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: BASKETBALL POSITIONS, ABBREVIATED, BASEBALL DEFENSIVE TERMS, BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES 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.

BASKETBALL POSITIONS, ABBREVIATED
BASEBALL DEFENSIVE TERMS
BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES
ESPN_____

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.

BASKETBALL POSITIONS, ABBREVIATED

BASEBALL DEFENSIVE TERMS

SHIFT

CUTOFF

RELAY

PITCHOUT

BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES

GARD

IZZO

PAINTER

MAY

ESPN_____

EWS

Reveal full answer

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