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For the NYT Strands puzzle dated Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the theme is “On the court.” The spangram is BASKETBALL. If you want to solve it yourself first, use the hints below in order; the complete word list follows a spoiler warning.
Hints for the December 9 Strands puzzle
Gentle hint
The theme is “On the court.”
Stronger hint
Think of a sport with a 3-point line.
Spoilers: the spangram and answers
Spoiler warning: The spangram and all theme words appear below.
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Spangram: BASKETBALL
Theme words: REBOUND, BLOCK, JUMP, DUNK, DRIBBLE, SCREEN, GUARD.
The answer list is consistent across Forbes, Play Strands NYT’s archive, and Yahoo Tech.
How Strands hints work
Strands is a word-search-style puzzle played on a six-by-eight letter grid. In Parade’s account of the instructions attributed to the New York Times, theme words fill the board without overlapping, while the spangram describes the theme and touches two opposite sides. Finding three qualifying non-theme words earns a hint. These mechanics are reported by Parade; they are not presented here as a direct quotation from an official NYT rules page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why puzzle numbers vary
Archives do not use a consistent number for this dated puzzle: Play Strands NYT labels it #339, while Yahoo Tech calls it #646. Use the date—December 9, 2025—and the theme, “On the court,” to identify it reliably.
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