NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Jan. 17 (#116)
The New York Times’ Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Jan. 17 (#116) presents a fun and challenging word association game for sports fans. If you’re working on today’s puzzle and need some guidance, here’s a full breakdown of hints, answers, and tips.
What is NYT Connections: Sports Edition?
Connections: Sports Edition is a variant of the popular Connections game, tailored for sports enthusiasts. Players group words into related themes, which range from obvious associations to obscure or tricky connections. Currently in beta, the game is free for now, allowing players to test their wits with sports-themed puzzles daily.
If you’re also tackling the regular Connections puzzle or other NYT challenges like Wordle, Strands, or the Mini Crossword, check out daily hints for those games as well.

Hints for Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle
Each Connections puzzle has four groups, each linked by a theme. For Jan. 17, here are the hints, ranked from easiest to most challenging:
- Yellow Group Hint: Put ’em up.
- Green Group Hint: Beantown nicknames.
- Blue Group Hint: British soccer shorthand.
- Purple Group Hint: Houston group.
Answers for Jan. 17 Connections: Sports Edition Groups
Here are the solutions for today’s puzzle, categorized by their respective themes:
Yellow Group (Theme: Fight)
- Battle
- Box
- Brawl
- Spar
Green Group (Theme: Shortened Nicknames for Boston Teams)
- B’s
- C’s
- Pats
- Sox
Blue Group (Theme: Premier League Team Nicknames)
- Bees
- Cherries
- Foxes
- Hammers
Purple Group (Theme: Astros Killer “B’s”)
- Bagwell
- Bell
- Berkman
- Biggio
These themes encompass a mix of American and international sports references, adding an extra layer of challenge for players unfamiliar with specific regions or leagues.
Important Tips for Solving Connections: Sports Edition
Struggling with tricky puzzles? Keep these strategies in mind:
1. Look for Common Themes
- Start with obvious associations. For instance, “fight” words like battle and brawl are easier to identify compared to more obscure categories like the Astros’ Killer “B’s.”
2. Focus on Sports Nicknames
- Knowledge of sports team monikers (e.g., Boston’s B’s for the Bruins or the Premier League’s Foxes for Leicester City) is critical in this edition. Cross-reference familiar team names to find patterns.
3. Divide and Conquer
- Tackle one group at a time. Eliminate easier categories like the Yellow group first to narrow down possibilities for trickier ones.
4. Use Hints Wisely
- If you’re stuck, referring to broader regional or sports-specific clues can help. For example, think “Beantown” when encountering Boston-related words.
5. Learn as You Play
- Connections puzzles are a fun way to deepen your knowledge of sports culture. If unfamiliar with terms like the “Killer B’s,” take it as an opportunity to explore sports history.
Conclusion
The Jan. 17 Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is a delightful mix of themes, blending iconic team nicknames and sports trivia. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual player, this guide should help you crack the puzzle and build your word-association skills.
Happy solving!