If you played the NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle on July 12, 2026 and wondered what each word actually means, this guide breaks down the definition and meaning of all 16 words. Whether you cracked the grid or came looking afterward, understanding the vocabulary behind CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE, TROPHY, DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE, SQUEEZE, CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL, WATER BOTTLE, ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE and PERISH makes the whole puzzle click into place.
Below you'll find every word defined and organized by its Connections category, so you can see exactly why each answer belongs where it does. If you want gentle nudges instead of spoilers, check our NYT Connections Sports hints today.
All 16 NYT Connections Sports Edition Words for July 12, 2026
The 16 words in today's grid were: CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE, TROPHY, DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE, SQUEEZE, CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL, WATER BOTTLE, ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE and PERISH. In Connections Sports Edition, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into awards, baseball tactics, things used during a timeout, and homophones of Celtics all-time greats.
Award: CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE, TROPHY
These four words all name a type of award given for achievement.
CUP (Meaning)
A cup is a trophy shaped like a large decorative goblet, often awarded to the winner of a championship or tournament, such as the World Cup or Stanley Cup.
MEDAL (Meaning)
A medal is a flat metal disc, usually worn on a ribbon, presented to recognize achievement — most famously the gold, silver and bronze medals of the Olympics.
PLAQUE (Meaning)
A plaque is a flat, inscribed board or plate mounted for display, often given to honor an accomplishment or commemorate an achievement.
TROPHY (Meaning)
A trophy is a prize awarded for victory or success in a competition. It's the general term that covers cups, statuettes and other championship hardware.
Baseball Tactics: DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE, SQUEEZE
Each of these is a strategic play used in baseball.
DELAYED STEAL (Meaning)
A delayed steal is a base-running tactic where the runner waits until the catcher casually returns the ball to the pitcher before breaking for the next base, catching the defense off guard.
HIT AND RUN (Meaning)
The hit and run is a coordinated play where the base runner takes off with the pitch while the batter tries to make contact, aiming to advance the runner and avoid a double play.
SACRIFICE (Meaning)
A sacrifice is a play in which the batter deliberately gives up their own at-bat — usually by bunting or hitting a fly ball — to advance or score a teammate.
SQUEEZE (Meaning)
The squeeze, or squeeze play, is a tactic where a batter bunts to bring a runner home from third base, often in a close, high-pressure situation.
Used During a Timeout: CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL, WATER BOTTLE
These four items are commonly seen and used during a sports timeout.
CHAIR (Meaning)
A chair is a seat where players rest during a timeout, often gathering courtside on the bench while the coach delivers instructions.
DRY ERASE BOARD (Meaning)
A dry erase board is a small whiteboard a coach uses during a timeout to diagram plays and strategy for the team.
TOWEL (Meaning)
A towel is used by players during a timeout to wipe away sweat and cool down before returning to the action.
WATER BOTTLE (Meaning)
A water bottle is the container players drink from during a timeout to rehydrate and recover their energy.
Homophones of Celtics All-Time Greats: ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE, PERISH
Each of these words sounds just like the surname of a Boston Celtics legend.
ALAN (Meaning)
ALAN is a homophone of Allen, as in Ray Allen, the Hall of Fame sharpshooter who helped the Celtics win the 2008 NBA championship. As a name, "Alan" is a common given name.
BURRED (Meaning)
BURRED is a homophone of Bird, as in Larry Bird, one of the greatest Celtics of all time. The word "burred" itself means roughened or having a rough edge.
KOOZIE (Meaning)
KOOZIE is a homophone of Cousy, as in Bob Cousy, the legendary Celtics point guard. A koozie is also the insulated sleeve that keeps a drink can cold.
PERISH (Meaning)
PERISH is a homophone of Parish, as in Robert Parish, the Hall of Fame center of the Celtics' 1980s "Big Three." The word "perish" itself means to die or pass away.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The July 12 Sports Edition puzzle leaned on clever misdirection. CUP could fit both awards and everyday objects, while SACRIFICE and SQUEEZE read like general verbs before you spot the baseball theme. The trickiest group is the purple one, since ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE and PERISH look unrelated until you say them out loud and hear the Celtics legends Allen, Bird, Cousy and Parish. Once that clicks, the grid comes together fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections Sports Edition for July 12, 2026?
The 16 words are CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE, TROPHY, DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE, SQUEEZE, CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL, WATER BOTTLE, ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE and PERISH.
What do CUP, MEDAL, PLAQUE and TROPHY have in common?
They are all types of awards given to recognize achievement or victory in a competition.
Why are DELAYED STEAL, HIT AND RUN, SACRIFICE and SQUEEZE grouped together?
All four are strategic plays or tactics used in the sport of baseball.
What do CHAIR, DRY ERASE BOARD, TOWEL and WATER BOTTLE have in common?
They are all items commonly used during a sports timeout, from resting and hydrating to diagramming plays.
Which Celtics greats match ALAN, BURRED, KOOZIE and PERISH?
They are homophones of Boston Celtics legends: ALAN sounds like Ray Allen, BURRED like Larry Bird, KOOZIE like Bob Cousy, and PERISH like Robert Parish.
What is a squeeze play in baseball?
A squeeze play is a tactic where the batter bunts to bring a runner home from third base, often used in tight, low-scoring games.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the meaning and definition of every one of the 16 NYT Connections Sports Edition words from July 12, 2026 — from CUP and MEDAL to KOOZIE and PERISH. Understanding each word's multiple senses is the real key to beating Connections Sports Edition, since the puzzle thrives on words that could fit in more than one group. Bookmark us and come back daily for more word meanings and Connections breakdowns.
