The September 26, 2026, NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, number 733, features a mix of modern NBA roster moves and deep dives into baseball history. Today’s challenge requires players to identify legendary pitchers by their first names and recognize athletes who transitioned from the field to the comedy stage.
Hints for Today’s Sports Connections
If you are looking for a nudge in the right direction without seeing the full solution, these hints break down the four categories by their general themes.
- Yellow Group Hint: These are items you would typically see at the front of the room during a post-game press conference or a trophy presentation.
- Green Group Hint: This category focuses on historical excellence on the mound. These four men hold the records for the most career wins in Major League Baseball history.
- Blue Group Hint: This group consists of nicknames for players associated with the New York Knicks. One of these players was famously traded to the team in 2024, while another was named team captain the same year.
- Purple Group Hint: These four athletes share a specific television credit on a long-running NBC sketch comedy show.
Spoiler Warning: The full list of categories and their corresponding answers follows below. If you want to keep solving the puzzle on your own, do not scroll further.
Connections: Sports Edition Answers for September 26
The solution for puzzle #733 is broken down by category, ranging from the most straightforward (Yellow) to the most difficult (Purple).
Yellow: Setting for a News Conference
- Dais, Lectern, Podium, Stage
This group identifies the physical platforms and furniture used during official media availability and press events.
Green: Winningest MLB Pitchers, Informally
- Christy, Cy, Grover, Walter
These are the first names of the four winningest pitchers in MLB history. The list includes Cy Young (511 wins), Walter Johnson (417), Grover Cleveland Alexander (373), and Christy Mathewson (373).
Blue: Nicknames of Knicks, Past and Present
- Captain Clutch, Kat, Melo, Oak
- Explanations: Captain Clutch refers to Jalen Brunson, who was named Knicks captain in 2024. Kat is Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined the team via trade. Melo refers to Carmelo Anthony, and Oak refers to Charles Oakley.
Purple: Athletes Who Have Hosted SNL
- Barkley, Kelce, Phelps, Rousey
This category features prominent athletes who have served as hosts for Saturday Night Live. Charles Barkley is a frequent host, while Travis Kelce, Michael Phelps, and Ronda Rousey have each led an episode of the show.
