Connections: Sports Edition hints for May 25, 2025, puzzle No. 244
Need help with today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle? You've come to the right place.
Welcome to Connections: Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
A quick public service announcement before we continue: The bottom of this article includes one answer in each of the four categories. So if you want to solve the board hint-free, we recommend you play before continuing.
Advertisement
You can access Sunday's game here.
Game No. 244's difficulty: 3 out of 5
Scroll below for one answer in each of the four categories.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yellow: AUSTRALIAN
Green: TIMBER
Blue: WOOD
Purple: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
The next puzzle will be available at midnight in your time zone. Thanks for playing — and share your scores in the comments!
(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knicks rumors: Teammates frustrated by Karl-Anthony Towns' defensive execution
The post Knicks rumors: Teammates frustrated by Karl-Anthony Towns' defensive execution appeared first on ClutchPoints. After watching their favorite team drop a brutal Game 6 effort against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks fans were not particularly happy with Karl-Anthony Towns. Advertisement Once expected to be the missing piece of an NBA Finals-winning roster, KAT was instead a big reason why the team came up short, so much so that multiple personalities were already mocking him in trades for the offseason. And to make matters worse for the KAT camp, James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz of The Athletic dropped a massive article on what went wrong with the Knicks' playoff run that painted the stretch big in a not-so-pleasant light. 'Publicly, Knicks players made veiled comments all season about poor communication causing their inconsistencies,' Edwards III and Katz wrote. 'Behind the scenes, they and coaches expressed frustration with Towns' defensive habits — less concerned with his talent level and more with his process on that end. Too often, Towns executed incorrect coverages without communicating why he did it. After it became a theme, players worried Towns didn't grasp the importance of the matter.' While Towns wasn't exactly known for his ability to play solid defense during his run with the Timberwolves, he was targeted often during the Knicks' playoff run, to the point where games often came down to how many shots he made versus how many he gave up. While some hurt feelings could ease with time, one has to wonder if the Knicks and KAT can continue together without some serious changes. © Soobum Im-Imagn Images PJ Tucker weighs in on the Knicks' dysfunction Elsewhere in The Athletic's breakdown, PJ Tucker commented on the Knicks' issues, noting that communication between teammates is key to executing a successful offense and defense. Advertisement 'They all talk to me. But they didn't talk to each other in real-time, in those situations,' Tucker told The Athletic. 'The situations to get stops, to have help, you know what I'm saying? That, to me, we have talent, but that's 80 percent of everything else – being able to communicate, be able to get stops, to be on the same page on offense, and be able to read each other. We needed to do those things instead of putting our hands up and looking at each other. It's changed. Do I think it needs to get better? One hundred percent. But it's come a long way since I've got here, for sure.' While these comments might not have read as an indictment on KAT's play at the time, there's a reason why Edwards III and Katz included it during their story immediately after commenting on his lack of defensive effort. If the Knicks are going to blast past the Eastern Conference Finals and return to the NBA Finals for the first time this century, it will need to be addressed one way or another.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cardinals Greats, Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina Named to The Athletic's All-Quarter Century Team
The first 25-years of this century has a number of sports publications reflecting back on someone of the greatest modern day competitors. Thursday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic released his MLB All-Quarter Century Team. Stark's team included nine hitters, five starting pitchers and one closer, and a pair of St. Louis Cardinals greats made the cut. Advertisement Playing first base on Stark's all-quarter century team is the legendary Albert Pujols, and behind the plate is the great Yadier Molina. Here's the full team: Pujols being the starting first baseman shouldn't come as a surprise to many. Stark claims that of all the decisions he had to make, this one was the easiest. "So why did I pick Albert? Oh, no particular reason … other than that he ranks first among this group in pretty much everything. We're talking over 700 homers and 3,300 hits, 101.3 WAR (according to Baseball Reference) and the most total bases in history (6,211) by anyone not named Henry Aaron." Advertisement "Want to argue that any of those other first basemen were greater? Sure. Go for it. But Pujols was the easiest pick, for me, on this whole ballot. #Legend," he wrote. Pujols spent the first 11 seasons of his 22-year career in St. Louis. He was a three-time MVP, 11-time all-star, two-time World Series champion and won rookie of the year in 2001. After spending 10 years with the Angels and one with the Dodgers, Pujols finished his career in St. Louis, where he became the fourth player ever to eclipse the 700 home run mark. Cardinals legends Albert Pujols and Yadier MolinaJeff Curry-Imagn Images With other strong candidates at the catcher position, such as Buster Posey and Joe Mauer, Stark's decision to select Molina wasn't quite as easy. Advertisement Stark says that he ran the catcher debate by a scout who used to play in the big leagues, and the scout didn't even hesitate to pick Molina. 'It's Yadi,' he said. 'It's got to be Yadi. End of story. I don't care about the numbers. Yadi has all the nuanced stuff you can't measure. Go look at all those Cardinals pitching staffs that got better when he was behind the plate. And the second he left, they have not been the same. So it's Yadi. It's got to be Yadi.' A ten-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Molina spent all 19 seasons of his career with the Cardinals. Molina may not have the offensive prowess of Mauer or Posey, but he still finished his career with over 2,100 hits and over 1,000 RBIs. With nine gold gloves and four platinum gloves, Molina is also widely considered to be the greatest defensive catcher of all time. Both Pujols and Molina will make their first appearance on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2028. Advertisement Related: Cardinals Facing Potentially Significant Albert Pujols-Yadier Molina Decision Related: Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina Could Be Impacted by MLB's Historic Pete Rose Decision Cardinals Greats, Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina Named to The Athletic's All-Quarter Century Team first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Amazon Prime Video Redefines NASCAR Broadcasts with a Bold New Era of Streaming and Innovation
Amazon Prime Video has officially taken the wheel in NASCAR's latest media revolution, and it's not just about where fans watch races, but how they experience them. As part of NASCAR's new seven-year media rights deal kicking off in 2025, Amazon secured exclusive streaming rights to five mid-season Cup Series races annually. That alone is a landmark shift. But when Prime Video debuted with the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, the first-ever points-paying Cup race aired solely on a streaming platform, it was clear this was more than just a broadcasting contract. It's the beginning of NASCAR's streaming era. Amazon's Broader Sports Play Prime Video's entry into NASCAR builds on Amazon's broader push into live sports. The tech giant already owns rights to the NFL's 'Thursday Night Football', Premier League soccer, and WNBA matchups. NASCAR represents the latest step in a long-term plan to draw cord-cutting fans and modernize the live sports experience. Advertisement For NASCAR, partnering with Amazon helps diversify its reach. As NASCAR President Steve Phelps said, the league aimed to 'secure long-term stability with an optimized mix of distribution platforms.' Amazon offers access to a younger, more tech-forward audience, and early numbers suggest it's working. Streaming Debut Delivers Younger, Engaged Viewers Amazon's first Cup race drew a peak of 2.92 million viewers, including 800,000 in the key 18–49 demographic—more than any NASCAR cable race in the last three years. While overall viewership lagged behind last year's traditional Fox broadcast, the younger median age and digital engagement signal growth potential. And for fans, the change wasn't just about the platform, it was about the product. Amazon eliminated full-screen commercials during green-flag racing, replacing them with picture-in-picture ads. It's a long-overdue fix to one of NASCAR's most frustrating TV traditions. Advertisement Related: NASCAR schedule 2025 Game-Changing Features: No Missed Moments, More Control Prime's fan-first approach includes innovations like 'Key Moments,' letting viewers rewind major highlights on demand, and 'Rapid Recap,' which delivers a condensed video summary for fans who join mid-race. These tools are built for modern sports viewers used to TikTok speed and DVR control. In addition, Amazon is using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to layer in real-time stats and predictive insights, similar to what AWS already powers for Formula 1. From tire wear to pit strategy, expect smarter analysis baked into the coverage. Advertisement There's also a seamless e-commerce tie-in, allowing fans to 'Shop the Race' and buy team gear in real time. It's an extension of Amazon's retail empire, but also a clever way to let passion turn into purchase with a single click. A Broadcast Team Built for Credibility Fans tuning in to Prime Video's NASCAR coverage were met by a familiar voice: Dale Earnhardt Jr., alongside longtime crew chief Steve Letarte and seasoned broadcaster Adam Alexander. The team brings deep credibility and experience, and unlike some networks, Amazon sends its entire crew on-site to every race, enhancing authenticity and access. Supporting them are pit reporters Marty Snider, Kim Coon, and Trevor Bayne, while Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards, and Corey LaJoie lead pre- and post-race coverage. The Coca-Cola 600 post-race show ran over an hour, something rarely seen on traditional TV. Challenges Ahead for NASCAR and Fans Still, not everyone is sold. While Amazon partnered with DirecTV to stream races in bars and restaurants, some rural or older fans have struggled to adapt. Internet access, tech familiarity, and subscription fatigue are all real hurdles. Advertisement But team owners and sponsors are bullish. As 23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta said, 'This is a positive move to reach consumers where they are.' The marketing upside, especially for sponsors eager to tap Amazon's platform, is hard to ignore. Related: Prime Video Review 2025 – What to Know Before Subscribing The Future of NASCAR Broadcasting Ultimately, NASCAR's partnership with Amazon feels like a test case for the future of all live sports. It's not just about streaming, it's about flexibility, data, and personalization. If successful, this hybrid model of streaming and traditional TV could become the new norm across major leagues. Advertisement For fans, the tradeoff is clear: a slightly different way to watch in exchange for deeper, richer coverage that's focused more on the racing, and less on missing it. If Amazon continues listening to the fanbase and delivering a product built around access, engagement, and innovation, NASCAR may have found a long-term pit partner for the digital age. Related Headlines
