Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for Aug. 31, 2026, puzzle No. 707

August 31, 2026 - 06:39

If you are stuck on today's sports-themed word puzzle, you have come to the right place. Puzzle number 707 for Saturday, August 31, is live, and it offers a mix of team names, player terms, and a few curveballs that might trip you up. Below, we break down the categories from easiest to hardest, with hints first so you can still try to solve it on your own before reading the full answers.

First, a gentle nudge: one group is all about the same word used in different sports, but with a twist. Another group involves things you might find on a field or court that are not the ball. The third group is a set of nicknames that all share a common color. And the final group is a list of former MVPs, but not from the same league.

If you want to keep going without spoilers, stop here. Otherwise, here are the category clues. Yellow group: think about what a referee blows. Green group: these are all ways to describe a close game. Blue group: these are all terms for a player who moves between teams. Purple group: the answer is a word that follows each of these terms to make a common sports phrase.

Ready for the full solution? The yellow category is "Whistles," with the answers being call, foul, penalty, and violation. The green group is "Tight contests," featuring the words nail-biter, squeaker, toss-up, and thriller. The blue group is "Free agent moves," with sign, trade, waive, and release. Finally, the purple group is "___ ball," with answers being curve, foul, match, and power.

That wraps up puzzle 707. If you solved it without peeking, great job. If not, no worries, tomorrow brings a fresh set of categories. Check back here for the next batch of hints and answers.