Here are graduated hints for the January 8, 2026, edition of NYT Connections: Sports Edition, followed by the four category names and all 16 answers below a spoiler break. The date and answer groups are reported consistently, but the puzzle number is disputed: Parade calls it #472, while an archive lists January 8 as #478.
Hints for Connections: Sports Edition on January 8
Try these in order if you want a nudge without seeing the complete solution. They move from broad to more specific.
- Think about sports teams in the U.S. capital.
- What might an athletic trainer reach for to treat a minor injury?
- Look for teams associated with a particular basketball league.
- All four names in the final group follow the same first name.
January 8 categories and answers
Spoilers below: the category names and complete groups follow.
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| A DC ATHLETE | CAPITAL, COMMANDER, MYSTIC, WIZARD |
| SUPPLIES FOR AN ATHLETIC TRAINER | BANDAGES, ICE PACK, SCISSORS, TAPE |
| UNRIVALED TEAMS | BREEZE, LACES, PHANTOM, VINYL |
| JERRY _____ | LUCAS, RICE, STACKHOUSE, WEST |
Why the puzzle number is uncertain
Parade’s January 8, 2026, answer page labels the puzzle #472. A separate archive lists the same date and answer groups as #478, and places #472 on January 2 with different answers. The calendar date and solution set agree, but the number does not; without an authoritative NYT game record confirming it, #472 should be treated as Parade’s label rather than a verified identifier.
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How the game is organized
Parade describes Connections: Sports Edition as a daily sports-themed puzzle associated with The New York Times and The Athletic. Its format is 16 words to sort into four groups of four. The four clues above correspond to the four reported categories for this date.
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