Sports Connections Hints: May 16, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on May 16, 2026 (2026-05-16). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #819

Puzzle #819 · 2026-05-16 · 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 #819 for 2026-05-16, 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: BOSTON TEAMS, LAST FOUR NBA CHAMPIONS, "BLUE" 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.

BOSTON TEAMS
LAST FOUR NBA CHAMPIONS
"BLUE" TEAMS
"GREEN" TEAMS AND PLAYERS

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.

BOSTON TEAMS

RED SOX

PATRIOTS

BRUINS

REVOLUTION

LAST FOUR NBA CHAMPIONS

THUNDER

CELTICS

NUGGETS

WARRIORS

"BLUE" TEAMS

BLUE JACKETS

BLUE JAYS

BLUE DEVILS

BLUES

"GREEN" TEAMS AND PLAYERS

GREEN BAY

GREEN WAVE

DRAYMOND GREEN

MEAN GREEN

Reveal full answer

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