Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-18 — Puzzle #1133

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATION

Show theme 2

BELIEF

Show theme 3

THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMES

Show theme 4

WORDS AFTER "POP"

NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-18

COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATION

TRAVEL, CARRY, GOALTEND, DOUBLE DRIBBLE

BELIEF

OPINION, MIND, VIEW, ATTITUDE

THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMES

SCORE, HEALTH, TIME, LIVES

WORDS AFTER "POP"

FLY, QUIZ, TART, CULTURE

Frequently asked questions

The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:C _ _ _ _ _ A B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ V _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _W _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ P _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATIONShow theme 2BELIEFShow theme 3THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMESShow theme 4WORDS AFTER "POP"

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