Connections: Sports Edition asks you to sort sixteen words into four groups containing four words each. Today’s groups use divisions within play, named connections, specialist vocabulary, and wordplay.
Connections: Sports Edition #781 Puzzle Overview: November 13, 2026
ROUND and BIG FISH each have more than one meaning. Check that your proposed connection works for every entry before committing.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: RALEIGH, DURHAM, BULL’S-EYE, ROUND, BIG FISH, GOLDEN BEARS, QUARTER, OCHE, CAMERON INDOOR, NINE-DARTER, COACH K, PERIOD, RIPKEN, LAP, LAETTNER, CLUTTERBUCK.
Connections: Sports Edition Hints: November 13, 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about how play gets divided.
- Each entry can mark a segment of play.
Step 2 · one word
LAP
Step 3 · category
PORTION OF A SPORTING EVENT
Step 4 · all four words
LAP, ROUND, PERIOD, QUARTER
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for connections to one proper name.
- The connecting name also means an aristocratic title.
Step 2 · one word
DURHAM
Step 3 · category
ASSOCIATED WITH DUKE
Step 4 · all four words
DURHAM, COACH K, CAMERON INDOOR, LAETTNER
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- These expressions belong to one precision pastime.
- Think about throws aimed at a numbered target.
Step 2 · one word
OCHE
Step 3 · category
DARTS TERMS
Step 4 · all four words
OCHE, BULL’S-EYE, NINE-DARTER, BIG FISH
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for wordplay just before each entry.
- Put the same short name in front of every entry.
Step 2 · one word
RIPKEN
Step 3 · category
CAL _____
Step 4 · all four words
RIPKEN, RALEIGH, GOLDEN BEARS, CLUTTERBUCK
Less common words explained
- OCHE: It is the line behind which a player’s front foot must stay when throwing a dart.
- NINE-DARTER: It means scoring five hundred one points using only nine darts.
Connections: Sports Edition Answers: November 13, 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
ROUND can describe something circular, but here it marks a portion of play. BIG FISH can mean an important person, but here it belongs among the darts terms.
DURHAM, COACH K, CAMERON INDOOR, and LAETTNER share the Duke connection.
CAL goes before every purple entry: CAL RIPKEN, CAL RALEIGH, CAL GOLDEN BEARS, and CAL CLUTTERBUCK.
Yesterday’s groups for 12 November 2026
- A WESTERN CONFERENCE NBA PLAYER: SUN, LAKER, WARRIOR, ROCKET
- TEAMS IN NEW YORK STATE: ORANGE, SABRES, LIBERTY, BILLS
- PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS: EMERY, ROSE, LAMPARD, MOYES
- _____BOARD: SURF, SKATE, WAKE, SNOW
More Connections Sports Edition: Play Connections Sports Edition on The Athletic
Also today: Wordle · Connections · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 10 Nov · 9 Nov · 8 Nov · 6 Nov · 5 Nov · 4 Nov · 3 Nov
Questions about Connections Sports Edition
How many tries does a player get in Connections Sports Edition?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections Sports Edition?
Play Connections: Sports Edition in a web browser on The Athletic’s section of The New York Times website.
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