The Sports Edition puzzle has made a splash. It's all about basketball, and it's not your typical word game. Instead of full words, players get letters and numbers. It's a twist that's caught many off guard, especially with Game 7 of the NBA playoffs in full swing.

This puzzle isn't new. It started on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9. That's when it moved out of testing and into the spotlight. The Athletic, a sports journalism site, has taken it under its wing. You can find it in their app or play it for free online. It's a sign that the game has a dedicated fan base.

So, what's the deal with today's puzzle? It's divided into four groups, each with its own theme. The easiest is the yellow group. It's all about where you play on the court. The green group is about the score. The blue group is about stats. And the purple group? That's the tricky one. It's about nicknames, but not full names.

Let's dive into the answers. The yellow group is about basketball positions, but they're abbreviated. So, you're looking for C, PF, PG, and SF. The green group is about NBA teams, as they appear on scoreboards. That means IND, LAC, MEM, and OKC. The blue group is about basketball stats, also abbreviated. So, you're looking for 3P, FG, FT, and STL. And finally, the purple group is about NBA stars' nicknames, also abbreviated. That means CP3, KD, LBJ, and SGA.

This puzzle is a fun way to test your basketball knowledge. But it's also a chance to think critically. Why are some groups easier than others? What makes a good nickname? And how do abbreviations change the way we think about words? It's a puzzle that's more than just a game. It's a chance to learn and grow.

NYT GAMES AND PUZZLES

Basketball Buzz: Cracking the Sports Edition Puzzle

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