Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 22, 2026, puzzle No. 667

July 22, 2026 - 09:25

Welcome back to the daily huddle for puzzle No. 667. If you are staring at the grid and feeling stuck, you have come to the right place. Today's set of words might throw a curveball if you are not looking at the game from the right angle.

For those who need a gentle nudge, here are the category hints. One group involves terms you might hear during a specific type of competition where athletes are judged on style and difficulty. Another set points to a single position or role that appears across different team sports, though the name changes depending on the game. A third category is all about the gear that keeps players safe, but not the usual pads or helmets. Finally, look for four words that are also common nicknames for major professional teams in North America.

If you want the full breakdown, read on. The yellow category, which is usually the easiest, is "Protective Equipment." The green category is "Nicknames for Pro Teams." The blue category, a bit trickier, is "Terms in Gymnastics." And the purple category, which requires some outside-the-box thinking, is "Names for a Goalkeeper."

The four words for Protective Equipment are: SHINGUARD, MOUTHGUARD, CUP, and KNEEPAD. For Nicknames for Pro Teams, the answers are: DAWGS, BIRDS, FISH, and CATS. The Terms in Gymnastics group includes: VAULT, FLOOR, BEAM, and BARS. Finally, the four Names for a Goalkeeper are: NETMINDER, KEEPER, GOALIE, and STOPPER.

How did you do today? Drop your score in the comments. See you for the next puzzle.