Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle is a tough one today. Let’s hope you know a lot about a certain NBA player. Read on for hints and the answers.

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group hint: No points!

Green group hint: College division.

Blue group hint: San Fran stars.

Purple group hint: Retired NBA star.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Rejects a shot.

Green group: Mountain West schools.

Blue group: 49ers career passing leaders.

Purple group: Associated with Russell Westbrook.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 20, 2026.NYT/Screenshot by CNET

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is rejects a shot.

The four answers are blocks, denies, stuffs and swats.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Mountain West schools.

The four answers are Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is 49ers career secondary leaders.

The four answers are Brodie, Garcia, Montana and Young.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with Russell Westbrook.

The four answers are 0, Oklahoma City, triple-doubles and UCLA.

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