Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is a tricky one. 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: Not a veteran.

Green group hint: Hoops leaders.

Blue group hint: Not cold.

Purple group hint: Like Emma and Lea.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Inexperienced.

Green group: NBA head coaches.

Blue group: Can come after “hot.”

Purple group: ____ Thompson.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is inexperienced.

The four answers are green, new, raw and young.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is NBA head coaches.

The four answers are Bickerstaff, Finch, Kerr and Redick.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is can come after “hot.”

The four answers are corner, hand, seat and stove.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ Thompson.

The four answers are Alyssa, Amen, Klay and Tage.

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.

See full bio