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Need help with the Tuesday, February 17, 2026 edition of NYT Connections: Sports Edition? Start with four spoiler-light clues, then reveal the category names and full answer groups below. Puzzle #512 asks you to sort 16 sports-related words into four groups of four.
Hints for Connections: Sports Edition #512
The New York Times describes the goal as grouping sports terms that share a common thread. If you want to preserve the challenge, read one hint at a time before moving to the answers.
- Yellow: Get the gold medal.
- Green: Nation’s capital.
- Blue: Like McCartney.
- Purple: Join a bowling ____.
What are the categories?
Stop here if you still want to solve the groups yourself. The four category labels are:
- SUMMER OLYMPIC SPORTS
- DC SCHOOLS
- PAULS
- ____ LEAGUE
Connections #512 answers for February 17, 2026
Spoilers below: the complete word groups are listed here.
#1 Best Overall
- Height: 9.5in / 24cm, Width: 6.75in / 17cm
- By Barbara Ireland
- Paperback
- 669 pages
- Imprint: Taschen
Yellow: SUMMER OLYMPIC SPORTS
FENCING, GOLF, JUDO, RUGBY
Green: DC SCHOOLS
AMERICAN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, GEORGETOWN, HOWARD
These refer to American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, and Howard University, all in Washington, D.C.
Blue: PAULS
COFFEY, GEORGE, MOLITOR, SKENES
Each surname belongs to a sports figure named Paul: Paul Coffey, Paul George, Paul Molitor, and Paul Skenes.
Rank #2
- Height: 13.75in / 35cm, Depth: 2in / 5cm, Width: 10.25in / 26cm
- By Reuel Golden
- Hardcover
- 560 pages
- Imprint: Taschen
Purple: ____ LEAGUE
CACTUS, G, GRAPEFRUIT, LITTLE
Place “League” after each word to complete Cactus League, G League, Grapefruit League, and Little League.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to approach the puzzle
Use the hints to test a possible shared connection, but check each group against all four words before locking it in. In this puzzle, the clues point toward distinct kinds of relationships: Olympic sports, universities in the capital, athletes sharing a first name, and words that form league names when followed by “League.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
- Height: 9.75in / 24.5cm, Width: 6.75in / 17cm
- By Barbara Ireland
- Paperback
- 752 pages
- Imprint: Taschen
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