The New York Times Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for September 30, 2026, is number 737. This edition mixes fundamental sports equipment, professional hockey abbreviations, and specific roster knowledge from the WNBA.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you are looking for a nudge without the full solution, here are some broad hints for the categories:
- Yellow: Essential components for a common two-wheeled vehicle.
- Green: Shorthand names for professional hockey franchises.
- Blue: Professional basketball athletes who have suited up for the Atlanta Dream.
- Purple: Words that follow a specific type of outdoor sports surface or location.
For those who need more specific help, consider these stronger clues for each group:
- Yellow: Think about what you need to sit on, move, or stop while cycling.
- Green: These are four-letter abbreviations or nicknames for teams in the NHL.
- Blue: This category requires knowledge of the 2026 WNBA landscape; it includes Angel Reese alongside teammates in Atlanta.
- Purple: Try placing the word “Field” before each of these entries.
SPOILER WARNING: The full answers and category groups for Connections: Sports Edition #737 follow below.
Connections: Sports Edition Answers for September 30
The following are the completed groups for today’s puzzle:
- Parts of a Bicycle (Yellow): Brake, Pedal, Saddle, Spoke
- NHL Teams, Informally (Green): Avs, Caps, Isles, Leafs
- Atlanta Dream Players (Blue): Canada, Gray, Howard, Reese
- Field ____ (Purple): Goal, Hockey, House, Turf
Category Breakdown
The Yellow category is the most straightforward, focusing on basic bicycle mechanics. Most casual riders will recognize the saddle (seat) and the spoke of the wheel immediately.
The Green category focuses on the NHL. These are common shorthand terms for the Colorado Avalanche (Avs), Washington Capitals (Caps), New York Islanders (Isles), and Toronto Maple Leafs (Leafs).
The Blue category identifies players associated with the Atlanta Dream. While Angel Reese began her professional career with the Chicago Sky, her inclusion here reflects her tenure with the Atlanta organization by late 2026. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has previously highlighted how the Atlanta Dream serves as a platform for both athletic excellence and community connection.
The Purple category is a classic word-association group. Each word works when preceded by “Field.” A “Fieldhouse” is a common venue for indoor sports, while “Field Turf” and “Field Goal” are staples of football terminology. “Field Hockey” rounds out the set as a distinct Olympic sport.
