Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for Aug. 21, 2026, puzzle No. 697

August 21, 2026 - 03:09

This one had a nice mix of team names, player terms, and a couple of tricky overlaps. The key is to avoid locking in the first obvious group you see, because two of the categories share a similar theme. If you are looking for a gentle push, think about equipment used in specific sports, not just general athletic gear. Also, one category is about what happens after a play, not during it.

For those who want a stronger hint, consider the difference between a unit of scoring and a unit of time. That distinction will break the logjam. And if you are still stuck, the full answers are below.

Today's groups break down as follows. The yellow group is about basketball actions, specifically ones that involve the ball going through the net. The green group is all about football penalties, the ones that get called on the defense. The blue group is trickier, as it lists things you might find in a hockey rink, but not the obvious ones like the puck or the net. The purple group is a wordplay twist, where each answer is a common word that can be preceded by "field" to make a new term.

Here are the exact answers for puzzle No. 697:

Yellow group (basketball moves): Layup, Dunk, Hook shot, Free throw.

Green group (defensive penalties in football): Holding, Pass interference, Offside, Roughing the passer.

Blue group (hockey rink elements, non-obvious): Boards, Crease, Faceoff circle, Bench.

Purple group (words with "field" in front): Goal, Trip, Day, Work.

If you scored a perfect game, nice work. If you missed one or two, do not sweat it. The puzzle is designed to make you think sideways. Come back tomorrow for the next set of clues and answers.