The NYT Connections: Sports Edition for September 14, 2026, marks puzzle number 721. Today’s grid tests your knowledge of hockey mechanics, baseball history, and multi-sport athletes sharing a common surname.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you need a nudge before seeing the full solutions, these progressive hints should help you narrow down the categories.
General Tips
- Yellow focuses on terms used when two opponents are perfectly balanced.
- Green identifies actions taken on the ice to put a puck in the net.
- Blue requires specific knowledge of Milwaukee baseball history.
- Purple looks for a common last name shared by stars in the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Category Clues
- Yellow: These words describe a game where nobody has the upper hand.
- Green: Different ways to launch a puck toward the goalie.
- Blue: Names of legendary players who earned the highest individual honor while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Purple: First names that all precede a specific “youthful” surname.
Spoiler Warning: The final answers and group names for today’s puzzle follow below.
Connections Sports Edition Answers for September 14 (#721)
Yellow: Even Match
Deadlock, Draw, Stalemate, Tie
These terms describe a scenario where the score is equal or neither side can make a move to win.
Green: Types of Hockey Shots
Backhand, Slap, Snap, Wrist
These are the primary techniques used by hockey players to strike the puck, ranging from the powerful slap shot to the quick-release wrist shot.
Blue: Brewers to Win MVP
Braun, Fingers, Yelich, Yount
According to official MLB records, these four athletes won the Most Valuable Player award while representing the Milwaukee Brewers. This includes Rollie Fingers (1981), Robin Yount (1982, 1989), Ryan Braun (2011), and Christian Yelich (2018).
Purple: ____ Young
Bryce, Cy, Steve, Trae
This category features stars from across the sporting world who share the last name Young: Bryce Young (NFL quarterback), Cy Young (MLB pitching legend), Steve Young (Hall of Fame NFL quarterback), and Trae Young (NBA point guard).
