Connections Sports Edition puzzle No. 685 answers and hints

The August 9, 2026, edition of the NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle (No. 685) features sixteen sports-themed words categorized into four distinct groups. The puzzle is designed by Mark Cooper, a managing editor for The Athletic.

The thematic categories for this edition include:

• Equipment that comes in pairs: Ice skate, shin guard, ski pole, and soccer cleat. • Injuries: Hip pointer, shin splints, tennis elbow, and turf toe. • Fenway Park sights: Citgo sign, Green Monster, Lansdowne Street, and Pesky's Pole. • Premier League venues: City Ground, Old Trafford, Stadium of Light, and Stamford Bridge.