Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle was a tough one. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group hint: Toss it!
Green group hint: Future football stars.
Blue group hint: Collectibles.
Purple group hint: Numbers that signify a winner.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Things that are thrown.
Green group: Last four NFL draft No. 1 picks.
Blue group: Descriptors for types of trading cards.
Purple group: Can follow “score.”
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is things that are thrown.
The four answers are baseball, dart, frisbee and hammer.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is last four NFL draft No. 1 picks.
The four answers are Mendoza, Ward, Williams and Young.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is descriptors for types of trading cards.
The four answers are autograph, parallel, patch and rookie.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is can follow “score.”
The four answers are board, bug, line and sheet.