Looking for the most recent NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle answers? CNET publishes daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles. Connections: Sports Edition might not be as popular as the regular Connections puzzle, but it’s a fun game that challenges sports fans, since the categories are all over the map. You’re as likely to find an Olympics category as you are to find one on the NFL, the WNBA or Premier League soccer.

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is pretty tough, with a diverse group of categories that might stump players. I thought the blue category was especially easy today, especially if you’re familiar with a certain iconic NFL family. 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: The Grand Canyon State.

Green group hint: College cities.

Blue group hint: Football family.

Purple group hint: Set and spike.

Read more: We Need to Talk About That One Doggone Connections Puzzle

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Arizona pro teams.

Green group: Big Ten school locations.

Blue group: Manning family members.

Purple group: Major league volleyball teams.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is Arizona pro teams.

The four answers are Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mercury and Suns.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Big Ten school locations.

The four answers are Champaign, Columbus, Lincoln and Piscataway.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Manning family members.

The four answers are Arch, Archie, Eli and Peyton.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is major league volleyball teams.

The four answers are Pulse, Supernovas, Valkyries and Vibe.

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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