Sports Connections Hints: Aug 14, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Aug 14, 2026 (2026-08-14). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #1001

Puzzle #1001 · 2026-08-14 · 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 #1001 for 2026-08-14, 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: EASY OPPONENT, "GROUP OF 6" COLLEGE CONFERENCES, ASSOCIATED WITH 3 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.

  • EASY OPPONENT
  • "GROUP OF 6" COLLEGE CONFERENCES
  • ASSOCIATED WITH 3
  • ENDS IN AN ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

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.

EASY OPPONENT

BREEZE
CUPCAKE
PUSHOVER
TOMATO CAN

"GROUP OF 6" COLLEGE CONFERENCES

SUN BELT
MAC
MOUNTAIN WEST
AMERICAN

ASSOCIATED WITH 3

DALE EARNHARDT
BRONZE MEDAL
HAT TRICK
FIELD GOAL

ENDS IN AN ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

KAHLEAH COPPER
PHOENIX MERCURY
ADAM SILVER
9-IRON

Reveal full answer

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

EASY OPPONENT

BREEZE
CUPCAKE
PUSHOVER
TOMATO CAN

"GROUP OF 6" COLLEGE CONFERENCES

SUN BELT
MAC
MOUNTAIN WEST
AMERICAN

ASSOCIATED WITH 3

DALE EARNHARDT
BRONZE MEDAL
HAT TRICK
FIELD GOAL

ENDS IN AN ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

KAHLEAH COPPER
PHOENIX MERCURY
ADAM SILVER
9-IRON

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