The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for September 25, 2026, is numbered 732. Today’s grid requires a sharp eye for recent professional sports history, specifically focusing on league structures and roster names from the NHL, NBA, and NFL.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you are looking to solve the puzzle without seeing the final answers immediately, these progressive hints can help narrow down the categories.
Broad Category Hints:
- Yellow: These are cities or states associated with recent success on the ice.
- Green: These words describe how professional basketball teams are grouped geographically.
- Blue: These are surnames of players who share the same NFL home field.
- Purple: Every word in this group is followed by the same common sports-related noun.
Stronger Clues:
- Yellow: Think of the last few teams to lift the Stanley Cup.
- Green: These are four of the six NBA divisions.
- Blue: These athletes play for the Carolina Panthers; the group is themed around the team’s mascot, Sir Purr.
- Purple: Three of these terms are common in baseball, but one is a primary position in volleyball.
Final Answers for NYT Connections: Sports Edition #732
SPOILER WARNING: The following section contains the completed groups and answers for today’s puzzle.
Yellow: Last Four Franchises to Win Stanley Cup
Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Vegas
This group identifies the most recent unique franchises to secure the NHL championship. While Florida and Vegas are recent first-time winners, Carolina and Colorado represent established champions from the modern era.
Green: NBA Divisions
Atlantic, Central, Pacific, Southwest
These terms represent four of the six geographical divisions used by the NBA to organize its 30 teams. The missing divisions from this list are the Southeast and Northwest.
Blue: Carolina Panthers Players
Horn, Hubbard, Tremble, Young
This category features key members of the Panthers roster, including cornerback Jaycee Horn, running back Chuba Hubbard, tight end Tommy Tremble, and quarterback Bryce Young. The “Sir Purr” hint provided in many player-led grids refers to the team’s official black cat mascot.
Purple: ____ Hitter
Leadoff, Outside, Pinch, Switch
The common link here is the word “hitter.” While leadoff, pinch, and switch are standard baseball designations, an “outside hitter” is a specific offensive position in volleyball, typically stationed on the left side of the court.
