Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Sept. 11, #718

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is pretty tough, with a diverse group of categories that might stump players. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers. Yellow group hint: When a player gets hurt. Green group hint: Who’s on first? Blue group hint: Hoopsters in Sin City. Purple group hint: You might do this with a doughnut. Read more: We Need to Talk About That One Doggone Connections Puzzle Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups Yellow group: NFL injury report designations. Green group: Ways to reach first base. Blue group: Las Vegas Aces. Purple group: ____ dunk. What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.NYT/Screenshot by CNET The yellow words in today’s Connections The theme is NFL injury report designations. The four answers are doubtful, out, probable and questionable. The green words in today’s Connections The theme is ways to reach first base. The four answers are error, hit by pitch, single and walk. The blue words in today’s Connections The theme is Las Vegas Aces. The four answers are Gray, Loyd, Wilson and Young. The purple words in today’s Connections The theme is ____ dunk. The four answers are Nike, reverse, slam and windmill. CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. See full bio