Sports Connections Hints: Apr 9, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Apr 9, 2026 (2026-04-09). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #772

Puzzle #772 · 2026-04-09 · 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 #772 for 2026-04-09, 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: A TEAM'S BEST PLAYER, MMA TERMS, NICKNAMES OF FORMER NBA PLAYERS, WITH "THE" 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.

  • A TEAM'S BEST PLAYER
  • MMA TERMS
  • NICKNAMES OF FORMER NBA PLAYERS, WITH "THE"
  • MR. _____

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.

A TEAM'S BEST PLAYER

STAR
CENTERPIECE
LEAD
HEADLINER

MMA TERMS

ARMBAR
CHOKE
CLINCH
SUBMISSION

NICKNAMES OF FORMER NBA PLAYERS, WITH "THE"

ANSWER
MATRIX
BIG DIPPER
TRUTH

MR. _____

MET
3000
OCTOBER
HOCKEY

Reveal full answer

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

A TEAM'S BEST PLAYER

STAR
CENTERPIECE
LEAD
HEADLINER

MMA TERMS

ARMBAR
CHOKE
CLINCH
SUBMISSION

NICKNAMES OF FORMER NBA PLAYERS, WITH "THE"

ANSWER
MATRIX
BIG DIPPER
TRUTH

MR. _____

MET
3000
OCTOBER
HOCKEY

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