NYT Connections: Sports Edition for February 21, 2026 (Puzzle #516) delivered one of those grids that looks straightforward — until it suddenly isn’t. While the yellow group fell into place quickly for many players, the real twist came from how deceptively simple some of the themes appeared. In a rare turn, even the purple category — usually the toughest — felt surprisingly logical once you saw the connection.
If you’re still working through the puzzle and want a nudge rather than a full spoiler, start with the hints below. If you’re ready for the confirmed groupings and words, scroll carefully to the answer section.
You can always play the official game at The New York Times Connections page or via The Athletic platform.
Hints for NYT Connections: Sports Edition — Feb. 21
🟡 Yellow group hint: Old Line State.
🟢 Green group hint: Hoops legend.
🔵 Blue group hint: Robert Redford sports classic.
🟣 Purple group hint: Vroom-vroom.
Strategy tip: Sports Edition frequently blends professional teams, athlete personas, pop-culture sports references, and terminology roles. If a word feels “too simple,” it might be exactly right.
Answers for Puzzle #516
Click to reveal today’s Connections groups and words
🟡 Yellow Group: Maryland teams
Answers: Midshipmen, Orioles, Ravens, Terrapins
This category brings together teams connected to Maryland, spanning professional and collegiate programs.
🟢 Green Group: Shaquille O’Neal nicknames
Answers: Big Aristotle, Diesel, Shaq, Superman
Shaq has never been short on personality — and that includes an impressive collection of nicknames used throughout his NBA career and media appearances.
🔵 Blue Group: Associated with “The Natural”
Answers: baseball, Hobbs, Knights, Wonderboy
Each word connects to the iconic baseball story made famous on screen, tying together character names and defining elements of the film.
🟣 Purple Group: Sports that have a driver
Answers: bobsled, F1, golf, water polo
This clever category hinges on the word “driver” — whether referring to a vehicle operator, a position, or even equipment central to the sport.
Overall difficulty: Moderate. The grid rewarded players who recognized geography and sports pop culture quickly. Once those locked in, the remaining categories became far easier to separate.
If today’s puzzle felt trickier than usual, you’re not alone. Sports Edition often rewards lateral thinking more than deep sports knowledge — and that’s part of what keeps it fresh.
