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NYT Connections Sports Edition · #680

NYT Connections Sports Edition Hints & Answers (#680) — August 4, 2026

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“Start by isolating words that feel tied to one sport before checking cross-league overlaps.”

NYT Sports Connections hints for August 4, 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 ACEThe star starting pitcher who leads the rotation.
2 BADGERSThe nickname for Wisconsin in the conference.
3 CLOSERThe pitcher who finishes games in the ninth.
4 DUCKSThe nickname for Oregon in the conference.
5 GOLDEN GOPHERSThe nickname for Minnesota in the conference.
6 HIGHSMITHAn edge rusher on the current Steelers roster.
7 HUSKIESThe nickname for Washington in the conference.
8 JACKETSThe second word for Columbus in the NHL.
9 KNIGHTSThe second word for Vegas in the NHL.
10 LEAFSThe second word for Toronto in the NHL.
11 METCALFA wide receiver on the current Steelers roster.
12 OPENERA modern role that begins the game instead of the ace.
13 QUEENA linebacker on the current Steelers roster.
14 SETUPThe pitcher who prepares the inning for the closer.
15 WATTLooks like a power unit; here it's T.J. on the Steelers.
16 WINGSThe second word for Detroit in the NHL.
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 Roles that bookend an inning on the mound.
See Group BASEBALL PITCHING ROLES
See WordACE
See WordCLOSER
See WordOPENER
See WordSETUP
See Hint College football squads from one conference.
See Group BIG TEN TEAMS
See WordDUCKS
See WordBADGERS
See WordHUSKIES
See WordGOLDEN GOPHERS
See Hint Words that complete the names of NHL franchises.
See Group SECOND WORDS IN NHL TEAM NAMES
See WordWINGS
See WordLEAFS
See WordKNIGHTS
See WordJACKETS
See Hint Current players on one NFL roster.
See Group PITTSBURGH STEELERS
See WordQUEEN
See WordWATT
See WordHIGHSMITH
See WordMETCALF
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 ACE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of an expert or playing card, but here the puzzle uses it as a top starting pitcher.
2 LEAFS Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing the plural of leaf, but here it's the second word in an NHL team name.
3 WATT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a unit of power, but here it's a player's surname on a roster.

NYT Sports Connections answers for August 4, 2026

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

Y BASEBALL PITCHING ROLES · Yellow · easiest
  • ACE
  • CLOSER
  • OPENER
  • SETUP

ACE, CLOSER, OPENER and SETUP are all baseball pitching roles. OPENER is the sneakiest — most solvers expect a traditional starter instead of this modern tactic.

G BIG TEN TEAMS · Green · easy
  • DUCKS
  • BADGERS
  • HUSKIES
  • GOLDEN GOPHERS

DUCKS, BADGERS, HUSKIES and GOLDEN GOPHERS are all Big Ten team nicknames. GOLDEN GOPHERS is the longest — it belongs to Minnesota and tempts NHL confusion.

B SECOND WORDS IN NHL TEAM NAMES · Blue · medium
  • WINGS
  • LEAFS
  • KNIGHTS
  • JACKETS

WINGS, LEAFS, KNIGHTS and JACKETS complete NHL team names. LEAFS stands out because the spelling breaks the usual plural rule.

P PITTSBURGH STEELERS · Purple · hardest
  • QUEEN
  • WATT
  • HIGHSMITH
  • METCALF

QUEEN, WATT, HIGHSMITH and METCALF are all Pittsburgh Steelers players. WATT is the most deceptive — it reads as a power measurement before the roster connection appears.

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