The Oct. 1 sports-themed puzzle in The New York Times’ Connections series offers a straightforward but varied set of categories. The groups span basketball vocabulary, Pittsburgh sports references, Texas venues, and common word combinations, making it a good entry point for casual players while still giving sports fans something to decode.
Today’s grid is especially friendly to Houston and Pittsburgh fans, with two of the four groups tied directly to their regional sports scenes. Below are quick hints for each color group, followed by the full answers.
Hints for the four groups
- Yellow: Think of basketball games.
- Green: Focus on things associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Blue: Look for Texas sports arenas or venues.
- Purple: Each word can complete the phrase “____ away.”
Answer summary
- Yellow: Basketball games
- Green: Associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Blue: Texas sports venues
- Purple: ____ away
Yellow group
Theme: Basketball games
Answers: 21, Around the World, HORSE, and Knockout
Green group
Theme: Associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Answers: Black and Yellow, Renegade, Terrible Towel, and The Bus
Blue group
Theme: Texas sports venues
Answers: Alamodome, Cotton Bowl, Daikin Park, and Kyle Field
Purple group
Theme: ____ away
Answers: Break, Fade, Give, and Straight
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