Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for Jan. 2, #101

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Connections: Sports Edition delivered an all-graphic game grid yesterday to start off 2025. Today, there are just two images, both of athletes. If you know who they are, you’re a step ahead, but if their smiling faces don’t ring a bell, today’s puzzle could be a struggle. Shake it off (that’s a hint to one of the photos) and read on for hints and answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle.

For now, the game is in beta, which means the Times is testing it out to see if it’s popular, before adding it to the site’s Games app. You can play it daily for now for free — and then we’ll have to see if it sticks around.

Read more: NYT Has a Connections Game for Sports Fans. I Tried It

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Speedy.

Green group hint: Singular soccer teams.

Blue group hint: Triumphant TEs.

Purple group hint: Big Apple jocks.