The rotary clipper clue in the NYT Connections puzzle cleverly misleads players by fitting into a category of phrases ending in NBA team names. This unique twist challenges participants to think outside the box as they solve the puzzle.
The NYT Connections puzzle #1051 featured four thematic groups: salad ingredients, classic films, The Simpsons characters, and phrases ending with NBA players. The answers in the NBA players group included Raging Bull, Regina King, roe buck, and rotary clipper. Each answer ends with a surname shared by an NBA team.
Players must sort 16 words into four groups without labeled categories. This requires not only knowledge of the words but also insight into how they fit together. The challenge is heightened by the fact that every clue begins with the letter R.
The puzzle was published on April 27, 2026. It has gained popularity since its launch in June 2023, alongside other word games like Wordle and crossword puzzles. Players can track their progress and receive scores through a Connections Bot after completing the puzzle.
In the yellow group, participants identified salad ingredients such as ranch dressing and Romaine lettuce. The green group featured classic films like Rain Man and Reservoir Dogs. Meanwhile, The Simpsons characters made up the blue group with names like Radioactive Man and Ralph Wiggum.
The puzzle’s design encourages players to engage in puzzle solving while weaving together different themes. Yet, it also leaves behind familiar questions for future puzzles: what pattern will be hiding in plain sight tomorrow?
As word games continue to evolve, enthusiasts eagerly await new challenges. The next installment of the Connections puzzle promises to deliver another round of clever clues that test players’ skills.
