NYT Sports Connections Reveals October 9 Puzzle Answers

The October 9, 2026, edition of The New York Times Connections: Sports Edition challenged players to organize 16 sports-related terms into four groups of four. The puzzle covered head-to-head competitions, famous Los Angeles Lakers nicknames, expressions containing the word free, and sporting categories associated with the number five, according to answer lists published by CNET and Yahoo.

The four categories required players to identify shared connections across combat sports, basketball history, football terminology, and major sporting events. CNET published the October 9 puzzle's hints and answers in an article dated October 8, while Suaragarut.id subsequently reported the same solution set.

The yellow category focused on sports featuring direct competition between two opponents. Its answers were boxing, fencing, mixed martial arts, and wrestling.

The green category featured nicknames associated with notable figures in Los Angeles Lakers history. The four answers were Big Game James, Magic, Mr. Basketball, and The Logo.

Big Game James refers to James Worthy, while Magic identifies Earvin Magic Johnson. Mr. Basketball refers to George Mikan, and The Logo identifies Jerry West, according to the published answer list.

The blue category connected four terms that follow the word free. The answers were agent, kick, safety, and throw, expressions used in different sporting contexts.

The purple category brought together four entries associated with the number five. The answers were LPGA majors, modern pentathlon, offensive line, and Olympic rings.

These entries represent different connections to five across sports. An offensive line is represented in the puzzle as a five-person group, while the Olympic rings symbolize the Olympic movement. The modern pentathlon and LPGA majors completed the category.

CNET's published hints described the yellow group as Mano a mano, the green group as Monikers for hoopsters, the blue group as No charge, and the purple group as After four, but before six.

The October 9 puzzle followed the October 8 edition, numbered 745, which featured a different set of sports connections. According to Yahoo's October 8 report, that earlier puzzle grouped teams with bear nicknames, words used in NBA venue names, Serie A clubs, and phrases completed by the word league.

The October 8 answers included Baylor, Brown, California, and Chicago for the bear-related category; arena, center, forum, and garden for NBA venue names; Atalanta, Como, Inter, and Napoli for Serie A clubs; and champions, ivy, major, and national for the final group.