New York Times Communications Today: Sports Edition Tips, Answers for January 2, No. 101

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Communications: Mathematical Edition The fully graphic gaming grid was handed over yesterday for the start of 2025. Today, there are just two images, both of athletes. If you know who they are, you’re one step ahead, but if their smiling faces don’t ring a bell, today’s puzzle can be a struggle. Shake it off (that’s a hint for one of the pictures) and read on for hints and answers to today’s Connections: Mathematical Edition puzzles.

Right now, the game is still in beta, meaning the Times is testing it to see if it’s popular, before adding it to the site’s gaming app. You can play it daily for free now – and then we’ll have to see if it continues.

Read more: NYT has a communications game for sports fans. I’ve tried it

Tips for today’s connections: Sports Edition kits

Here are four pool hints in today’s Connections: Math Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the difficult (and sometimes weird) purple group.

Yellow Group Hint: Fast.

Green Set Hint: Single Football Teams.

Blue Set Hint: Victorious TEs.

Purple Set Hint: Big Apple jocks.

Answers to Today’s Communications: Collections Mathematical Edition

Yellow group: fast.

Green Group: Major League Soccer teams, singular.

Blue Group: NFL career yards leaders among tight ends.

Purple group: New York athletes.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here are the most common letters used in English words

What is Today’s Communications: Sports Edition Answers?

Yellow words in today’s communications

The matter is fast. The four answers are fast, quick, quick and agile.

Green words in today’s communications

The topic is MLS teams, in singular form. The four answers are Earthquake, Sounder, Timber, and Whitecap.

Blue words in today’s communications

The topic is NFL career passing yards leaders among tight ends. The four answers are Gates, Gonzalez, Kelsey (pictured) and Witten.

Purple words in today’s communications

The subject is athletes in New York. The four answers are Ionescu, Judge (pictured), Rodgers and Shesterkin.