Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is a little tricky. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group hint: Making a racket.

Green group hint: Smash the ball.

Blue group hint: Football player.

Purple group hint: They also work in prisons.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Tennis stat.

Green group: Make good contact (in baseball).

Blue group: Associated with Dak Prescott.

Purple group: ____ guard.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is tennis stat.

The four answers are ace, double fault, unforced error and winner.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is make good contact (in baseball)

The four answers are barrel, crush, lace and smoke.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with Dak Prescott.

The four answers are 4, Cowboys, Mississippi State and quarterback.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ guard.

The four answers are combo, mouth, nose and offensive.

CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of “Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s,” as well as “The Totally Sweet ’90s.” She’s been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She’s Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she’ll be first in line.

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