Sports Connections Hints: May 12, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on May 12, 2026 (2026-05-12). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #805

Puzzle #805 · 2026-05-12 · 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 #805 for 2026-05-12, 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: OUT OF PRACTICE, PARTS OF A TENNIS RACKET, MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 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.

  • OUT OF PRACTICE
  • PARTS OF A TENNIS RACKET
  • MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
  • _____ CLOCK

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.

OUT OF PRACTICE

COLD
OFF
SLUGGISH
RUSTY

PARTS OF A TENNIS RACKET

STRINGS
GRIP
BUTT
GROMMETS

MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

WALLACE
DORT
JOE
HOLMGREN

_____ CLOCK

PITCH
PLAY
SHOT
GAME

Reveal full answer

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

OUT OF PRACTICE

COLD
OFF
SLUGGISH
RUSTY

PARTS OF A TENNIS RACKET

STRINGS
GRIP
BUTT
GROMMETS

MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

WALLACE
DORT
JOE
HOLMGREN

_____ CLOCK

PITCH
PLAY
SHOT
GAME

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