Sports Connections Hints: Feb 23, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Feb 23, 2026 (2026-02-23). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #726

Puzzle #726 · 2026-02-23 · 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 #726 for 2026-02-23, 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: HECKLE, CHARACTERS IN "SPACE JAM", FLORIDA 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.

HECKLE
CHARACTERS IN "SPACE JAM"
FLORIDA COLLEGE TEAMS
NFL TEAMS, WITH THE FIRST 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.

HECKLE

BOO

HISS

HOOT

JEER

CHARACTERS IN "SPACE JAM"

JORDAN

BUGS

TWEETY

LOLA

FLORIDA COLLEGE TEAMS

BULLS

GATORS

SEMINOLES

OWLS

NFL TEAMS, WITH THE FIRST LETTER CHANGED

CROWNS

HACKERS

BOLTS

PAINTS

Reveal full answer

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