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NYT Connections Sports Edition · #678

NYT Connections Sports Edition Hints & Answers (#678) — August 2, 2026

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“Start with the clearest team names and physical objects before examining any word endings or player histories.Today's puzzle has HAWKS, which also appeared in Connections #668 (Jul 23, 2026). It was part of eastern conference NBA teams.”

NYT Sports Connections hints for August 2, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 ATLANTA UNITEDThe MLS side that completes the Atlanta set.
2 BICYCLETwo wheels and pedals for everyday riding.
3 BOURNEMOUTHEnds in MOUTH, the city name that hides the feature.
4 DIAGNOSEEnds in NOSE, the verb that hides the feature.
5 DREAMThe WNBA team from the same city.
6 FALCONSThe NFL team that plays in the same market.
7 HAWKEYESEnds in EYES, the college team name that hides the feature.
8 HAWKSThe NBA team that shares the city with the others.
9 JETSThe team that drafted Darnold in the first round.
10 KICKFLIPEnds in LIP, the trick name that hides the feature.
11 RACE CARBuilt for speed on a track with four wheels.
12 SEAHAWKSOne of the NFL teams where Darnold played.
13 SKATEBOARDFour wheels under a deck for street or ramp use.
14 SUPER BOWL LXThe game Darnold is projected to reach.
15 TROJANSDarnold's college team at USC.
16 ZAMBONIThe machine that resurfaces ice with wheels underneath.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint They let you move without using your legs.
See Group THINGS WITH WHEELS
See WordSKATEBOARD
See WordRACE CAR
See WordZAMBONI
See WordBICYCLE
See Hint Four franchises all based in the same southern city.
See Group ATLANTA TEAMS
See WordHAWKS
See WordFALCONS
See WordDREAM
See WordATLANTA UNITED
See Hint A quarterback's path through different programs and leagues.
See Group ASSOCIATED WITH SAM DARNOLD
See WordSEAHAWKS
See WordTROJANS
See WordJETS
See WordSUPER BOWL LX
See Hint The ending letters name something on your head.
See Group ENDS IN A PART OF THE FACE
See WordBOURNEMOUTH
See WordHAWKEYES
See WordDIAGNOSE
See WordKICKFLIP
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 HAWKEYES Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the Iowa college team or literal bird eyes, but here the puzzle is using it differently.
2 KICKFLIP Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing a skateboarding trick, but here the puzzle is using it for something other than the sport.
3 DIAGNOSE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of identifying an illness, but here the puzzle is using it differently.
4 SEAHAWKS Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the Seattle NFL team, but here the puzzle is using it through a different connection.

NYT Sports Connections answers for August 2, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y THINGS WITH WHEELS · Yellow · easiest
  • SKATEBOARD
  • RACE CAR
  • ZAMBONI
  • BICYCLE

SKATEBOARD, RACE CAR, ZAMBONI and BICYCLE are all things with wheels. ZAMBONI stands out because it is the only one tied to ice rather than pavement or track.

G ATLANTA TEAMS · Green · easy
  • HAWKS
  • FALCONS
  • DREAM
  • ATLANTA UNITED

HAWKS, FALCONS, DREAM and ATLANTA UNITED are all professional teams from Atlanta. ATLANTA UNITED is the only soccer entry among the four.

B ASSOCIATED WITH SAM DARNOLD · Blue · medium
  • SEAHAWKS
  • TROJANS
  • JETS
  • SUPER BOWL LX

SEAHAWKS, TROJANS, JETS and SUPER BOWL LX all connect to Sam Darnold. SUPER BOWL LX is the only future event in the group.

P ENDS IN A PART OF THE FACE · Purple · hardest
  • BOURNEMOUTH
  • HAWKEYES
  • DIAGNOSE
  • KICKFLIP

BOURNEMOUTH, HAWKEYES, DIAGNOSE and KICKFLIP all end in a part of the face. KICKFLIP is the sneakiest because most solvers see only the skate trick first.

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