NYT Connections Sports Edition #461: Hints and Answers for Dec 30, 2025

Can you solve the final challenges of the year? Today's Connections: Sports Edition #461, released on December 30, 2025, continues the trend of testing athletic IQ through linguistic puzzles. Created in association with The Athletic, this daily game has become a staple for fans looking to flex their mental muscles before the ball drops on New Year's Eve.

Clues for NYT Connections Sports Edition #461

The puzzle features 16 words that must be grouped into four distinct categories. While some words may seem to overlap, there is only one correct configuration. If you're stuck, these hints might help you navigate the board without using up your four allowed mistakes.

• Yellow (Easiest): Terms used when a player scores in basketball.
• Green: Essential components used on a cricket pitch.
• Blue: The elite nations that won the last four Men's FIFA World Cups.
• Purple (Trickiest): Famous gymnasts' surnames with the final letter missing.

Full Solution and Category Breakdown

If you're ready to see the answers, here is the breakdown for puzzle #461. The yellow category, 'Make a Shot, In Basketball,' includes DRAIN, DRILL, SINK, and SWISH. Green, 'Cricket Equipment,' consists of BAIL, BALL, BAT, and STUMP. Blue, representing 'Last Four Winners of The Men's World Cup,' features ARGENTINA, FRANCE, GERMANY, and SPAIN.

The hardest category today is Purple: 'Famous Gymnasts, Minus A Letter.' The words are BILE, CHILE, LE, and MILLE. These refer to Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, and Shannon Miller. This linguistic twist is a classic Connections move that separates the casual fans from the experts.