Need help with Connections Sports Edition puzzle #489 for Sunday, January 25, 2026? Start with the four spoiler-light hints below; the category names and complete answer groups are farther down.
Hints for Connections Sports Edition #489
Parade’s January 25 guide gives these hints in puzzle color order:
- Yellow: Bummer!
- Green: Add three letters.
- Blue: Noted hockey players.
- Purple: Not the moon, but …
Try matching the words to each clue before continuing. The category labels and full solution are next.
Spoilers: categories and answers
The category names and word groups below are reported by Parade’s guide. Its first category is printed as “DISSAPOINTMENT,” which appears to be a misspelling; the intended word is likely “disappointment.”
- DISSAPOINTMENT: BUST, DUD, FAILURE, FLOP
- SPORTS, WITH “-ING”: BOWL, BOX, CURL, SURF
- HALL OF FAME NHL DEFENSEMEN: BOURQUE, COFFEY, LEETCH, ORR
- ____ STAR(S): ALL, CHICAGO, DALLAS, SUPER
How the groups fit
Disappointment
BUST, DUD, FAILURE, and FLOP are words for something that disappoints or does not succeed.
Sports with “-ing”
Add “-ing” to each word to make a sport or sporting activity: bowling, boxing, curling, and surfing.
Rank #2
Hall of Fame NHL defensemen
BOURQUE, COFFEY, LEETCH, and ORR are surnames of hockey defensemen in the Hockey Hall of Fame category reported by Parade.
Words before “star(s)”
Each word can precede “star” or “stars”: All-Star, Chicago Stars, Dallas Stars, and Superstars.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
About the daily puzzle
Parade describes Connections Sports Edition as a daily puzzle created through a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic. Its guide says each puzzle contains 16 words sorted into four groups of four and resets at midnight Eastern Time. Those game details are Parade’s description, rather than independently confirmed official NYT wording.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
