Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 31, 2026, puzzle No. 676

July 31, 2026 - 01:50

Today's challenge is puzzle No. 676, dated July 31, 2026. If you are looking for a nudge in the right direction without a full spoiler, you have come to the right place. We break down the categories into gentle hints first, then reveal the full answers below for those who want to check their work.

This puzzle seems to have a bit of a throwback feel, mixing some classic team nicknames with a few modern player references. The groups range from fairly straightforward to a couple of tricky overlaps, so do not feel bad if you had to shuffle the board a few times. One category is all about iconic mascots that share a name with a bird. Another group focuses on last names that are also common first names, which can be sneaky. There is also a set of terms that sound like they belong in a baseball scorebook but actually refer to something else entirely.

If you are stuck, try focusing on the most obvious pair first, then see what is left over. Sometimes the leftover words make the final category click.

Full spoiler warning below the fold.

Here are the official answers for puzzle No. 676:

Yellow category: Bird mascots - Blue Jay, Cardinal, Falcon, Hawk.

Green category: First names as last names - Brady, Jordan, Payton, Russell.

Blue category: Words with silent first letters - Gnome, Knight, Psalm, Wrist.

Purple category: Things that are "called" in a game - Foul, Strike, Timeout, Travel.

That wraps up today's session. Good luck with tomorrow's puzzle, and feel free to drop your own scores or complaints in the comments.