Sports Connections Hints: Aug 18, 2026
This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Aug 18, 2026 (2026-08-18). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.
Meta: Sports puzzle #1009
Puzzle #1009 · 2026-08-18 · 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.
Hint 1 – overall theme
There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.
Themes include: NOT WINNING, PURCHASES AT A GAME, MEMBERS OF THE "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" 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.
- NOT WINNING
- PURCHASES AT A GAME
- MEMBERS OF THE "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN"
- ENDS IN A HOMOPHONE FOR KNICKS
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.
NOT WINNING
PURCHASES AT A GAME
MEMBERS OF THE "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN"
ENDS IN A HOMOPHONE FOR KNICKS
Reveal full answer
This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.
NOT WINNING
PURCHASES AT A GAME
MEMBERS OF THE "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN"
ENDS IN A HOMOPHONE FOR KNICKS
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