IT General

Best gift card deals Best overall gift card deal Instacart $100 gift card $85 at Amazon (Save $15) Get Deal Best rideshare gift card deal Lyft $100 gift card $85 at Amazon (Save $15) Get Deal Best restaurant gift card deal Panera $50 gift card $40 at Amazon (Save $10) Get Deal

Uh, if we're reading the calendar right, it looks like Christmas is less than a week away. Yikes. If you're looking down your list and realizing you're way behind on gifts, there is a solution.

Gift cards are an easy, last minute gift, and we know they get a bad rap for being impersonal. But maybe you're just buying the wrong ones. Instead, we like to think of gift cards as a way to make your loved ones lives a little bit easier. Everyone has to get groceries so why not get a gift card to help them pay for their next haul?

Plus, Amazon is helping you save on your last minute gift card purchases. Shop the best deals on gift cards now.

Best gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Instacart $100 gift card $85.00 at Amazon
$100.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The best gift is one that makes everyday life a little easier. Everyone needs groceries, but with prices skyrocketing and so little time in the day, an Instacart gift card saves someone in your life both time and money. A $100 gift card goes a long way, but right now you can get one for just $85. Just add the gift card to your cart and the $15 savings will be automatically applied.

Best rideshare gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Lyft $100 gift card $85.00 at Amazon
$100.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A $100 Lyft gift card can go a long way. It's especially useful on those days when fare hikes are out of control (like after an NFL game or when Taylor Swift is in town). If you're looking for a last-minute gift for someone in your life, this is truly the gift that keeps on giving long after the holiday season. Save $15 on a $100 gift card purchase with code LYFT at checkout.

Best restaurant gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Panera $50 gift card $40.00 at Amazon
$50.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Panera is the best for quick and easy meal. Plus, it's great for students who need a cheap meal and a place to work. Gift it to the college student in your life and save them from an evening of dining hall dinner. Plus, when you buy a $50 gift card at Amazon, get $10 back on your purchase — automatically.

More gift card deals

• Bath & Body Works $50 gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Dominos Pizza $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50 with code PIZZA)

• Google Play $50 gift card — $45 $50 (get $5 promo credit with code GOPLAY)

• H&M $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Meta Quest $50 gift card — $45 $50 (save $5)

• One4all $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Petco $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Red Lobster $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Taco Bell $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50 with code TACO)

• Uber $100 gift card — $90 $100 (save $10)

• Under Armour $50 gift card — $42.50 $50 (get $7.50 promo credit with code ARMOUR)

• Victoria's Secret $50 gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Vudu $50 gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

SAVE $130.99: As of Dec.19, get the Dyson Hot+Cool Purifier for just $399 at Amazon, down from its normal price of $529.99. That's a 25% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Hot+Cool Purifier $399.00 at Amazon
$539.99 Save $140.99 Get Deal

Crisp, clean air inside your home is important. But so is cranking the heat when you're cold and settling in for some cooling AC when you're burning up. The Dyson Hot+Cool Purifier is a useful and convenient addition to your home that can tackle all three of these concerns. It can cool you off, help you get cozy, and clear the air of irritants and particulates so you can breathe better, too. And right now, you can get one for a great price.

As of Dec. 19, get the Dyson Hot+Cool Purifier for just $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $529.99. That's a 25% discount.

The Dyson Hot+Cool Purifier help ensure the air you're breathing at home is clean, first and foremost, with a HEPA filter that traps dust, allergens, pet dander, and other potential particles in the air. It can filter the air in a zone of up to 73 square feet, with a fan that oscillates up to 350 degrees.

Using the purifier's remote, so you don't even have to get up off the couch or out of bed, you can go from cool air to warm air as well, which means you can cozy up with a blanket or cool off in the heat in just seconds. That makes it a great winter gift as well as a good summer option too. So if you want to have it in your home now or want to put it back for a great summer gift, it's well worth the price of entry either way.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Roll with it

These words are related to rock music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are different styles or sub-genres of rock'n'roll.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Rocking.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 19

• Punk

• Grunge

• Alternative

• Metal

• Glam

• Progressive

• Rocking

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

SAVE $299.01: The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base is on sale at Amazon for just $299.99, down from the list price of $599. That's a 50% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base $299.99 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $299.01 Get Deal

Tis the season to not worry about cleaning your floors. Between work, holiday parties, kids' activities, wrapping gifts, and cooking a turkey, there's not much time left for vacuuming before guests arrive. Instead, enlist the help of a robot vacuum that won't fa-la-la-la down the stairs.

As of Dec. 19, the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base is on sale at Amazon for just $299.99. That's a 50% discount off the typical price of $599 and a savings of $299.01.

Capable of cleaning both hard floors and carpet, the Shark AI Ultra works hard to keep your floors sparkling clean without being a bother. Shark employs the help of LiDAR vision to make an accurate map of your home's layout. Not only does this help the lil' robot make its way around your home to clean, it also gives you the ability to tell your robot to go vacuum the family room but avoid the kitchen, for example.

Shark also uses Matrix Clean to detect and then remove debris from areas that need extra attention. Instead of taking a single pass over all areas, the Shark operates in matrix grid pattern over areas that need extra help.

For pet owners, the self-cleaning brushroll means you'll won't have to perform a hair-removal surgery to free the brush from a tangle.

When the Shark is done cleaning, it'll return back to its charging base which is also a self-emptying base. Inside, the base can store up to 60 days worth of dust and debris before you'll need to empty it out. In short, that means you won't have to consider floor maintenance for about two months at a time.

With the associated Shark smartphone app, you can set schedules for your robot vacuum, check on the battery power, or set no-go zones for areas you want the vacuum to avoid. But if you don't love using a smartphone, you can also control the robot vacuum with voice commands.

If you'll be busy in the next few weeks with hosting holiday parties, get the help of the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum. It'll never sigh loudly or complain when asked to vacuum and its reliable suction power will leave your home's floors spotless. It's on sale at Amazon for 50% off and if you order soon, it'll arrive before Dec. 25.

One NZ has partnered with Starlink to use its satellite technology and introduced a countrywide satellite text messaging service called One NZ Satellite TXT. This makes it the first telecom company in the world to provide a Starlink Direct to Mobile service.

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face off in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (CFP). The match will take place at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana on Friday, Dec. 20, and is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Indiana is 11-1 overall and 8-1 in the Big Ten Conference, but came in second in conference to the No. 1 overall team, the Oregon Ducks. Notre Dame is also 11-1 overall, but is no longer in a conference, so the Fighting Irish couldn't claim a top seed.

The CFP has moved to a 12-team playoff format that allows the highest ranked winners of the top four conferences to take the top four seeds. The highest ranked winner of a fifth conference will take the 12th seed, if the team is not ranked higher than 12. The rest of the playoff field is filled out by ranking in a bracket released by the CFP committee. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye.

The winner of Indiana vs. Notre Dame will go on to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Indiana vs. Notre Dame football kickoff time and network

The Indiana vs. Notre Dame football game is scheduled for a 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT start on ABC/ESPN on Friday, Dec. 20.

Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy are expected to be in the booth. Molly McGrath is expected to be reporting from the sidelines.

Best streaming services for Indiana vs. Notre Dame football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Indiana vs. Notre Dame football game on ABC/ESPN. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

The popularity of polyamory and other non-monogamy has been on the rise in recent years, with some experts citing the first Trump election and COVID-19 for challenging sexual and romantic norms. Regardless of the reasons why, dating apps and search engine trends tell us that non-monogamy is on our minds. 

For individuals known online by tens of thousands of people for being polyamorous, there can be some unique challenges to their relationships — especially when they end. Social media can be a blessing for any minority community, many of whom are desperate to see themselves represented and to find opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. But for those in the spotlight, their public persona adds a singular element to heartbreak.

Social media followers "want to know everything" 

"Some people have a weird entitlement towards content creators," says Michelle Hy (@PolyamorousWhileAsian), a Portland-based polyamory content creator. "I've kept pretty good boundaries and rules when I post about a breakup or de-escalation — if it's amicable, I'll use it as an example in my stories or just to show that de-escalations can happen. If it's more tense than that, I won't talk about it publicly at all." 

SEE ALSO: What happens when your favourite TikTok couple breaks up

De-escalation is a term used in the polyamorous community to mean reducing the level of intimacy or commitment between partners, while still staying connected. For example, a couple who decides to stop living together but continue dating might describe that process as a de-escalation of their relationship. "Sometimes people want to know who did what, which I understand, but can definitely feel invasive," says Hy.

Hy's experience with prying eyes is echoed by other polyamory content creators. "When I was grieving my breakup, people would comment things like, 'Aw, you guys were so cute, I'M grieving your breakup,' which kept me feeling kind of stuck," reports Gabrielle Alexa Noel (@gabalexa), a queer sex and polyamory educator. "People expected a statement from me, my partner, and his other partner. We all ended up agreeing not to post about it to avoid having our opinions and experiences weaponized. But even still, a lot of people expected a story — with a beginning, middle, and neat, tidy end. That's just not real life." 

While important for destigmatizing alternative lifestyles, social media also blurs the lines between the personal and the public. It's easy to forget that the people who share parts of their lives for the purpose of education and community are offering something very generous, often at some personal expense.

"We get used to some parts being public and forget that that's just the surface level. It looks cute on paper, and it is cute in real life too, of course," observes New York-based queer artist, Jonzu (@jonzu). "But you're not always going to see the day-to-day work." 

It's important to remember that social media can never capture the full nuances of anyone's life, but at its best, it can offer a slice of hope in the form of representation and shared joy.

The court of public expectations online 

We already know that women, people of color, and queer people experience disproportionate harassment online. Unsurprisingly, this is reflected in the experiences of polyamorous influencers as well. Hy, who specifically creates content about intersectional polyamory as a queer Asian woman, shares: "I want to display more examples of diverse polyamory, and I definitely feel bummed that I can't do that without putting my loved ones at risk."  Followers can become demanding about personal details and bring high parasocial expectations for how influencers conduct their personal lives.

Hy isn't the only polyamorous influencer facing these unrealistic expectations of unofficial ambassadorship. Followers can feel invested in the representation they want to see, forgetting that influencers are just living their lives. "My ex is Black, and so am I, but none of my other partners are. After we broke up, I received overwhelming pressure online to date another Black person next," says Noel. "I lean towards dating other people of color in general, but I don't want to be measuring my dating interactions based on public expectations!"

While influencers' fans can see their breakup and have opinions about their personal decisions, so do the haters. "When we were breaking up, I remembered comments like, 'I'm just following to see this crash and burn' from people who hate polyamory. I never want them to think they were right!" adds Noel.

Setting boundaries as a polyamorous content creator

"I have specific conversations with people from the beginning, even on early dates," says Noel. "Like when we take a picture, if I post them and tag them, people might go to their page and interact. Sometimes 5,000+ people will click on my friends' profiles after we take a vacation together!" While most of this engagement is harmless, it follows that higher visibility online creates a higher likelihood of harassment. 

"My Puerto Rican partner of 4+ years experienced a lot of racial harassment, and it wasn't in response to anything in particular, just the existence of our relationship," Noel continues. "That made her reticent to be tagged for a while. She's okay with it now, but it's something I realized I have to give new partners a heads up on."

SEE ALSO: What are the rules for blocking someone after a breakup?

Other influencers agree that there have to be intentional choices when deciding which parts of their personal life to make public and which parts to keep private. While there is value in vulnerability and visibility, finding the balance is a crucial part of these influencers' well-being. "I didn't really post about breakups, but recently my published writing has become more personal. I wrote about my last breakup, but kept it pretty open-ended," says Jonzu.

"I keep names anonymous and I don't post photos of partners or friends," Hy agrees. "Having a public page also makes me more careful about who I date in general — it has happened more than once on a first date that someone will say 'I follow you on Instagram' and I realize they automatically know a lot more about me than I know about them. In general, it makes me feel a lot more cautious than I was 5 years ago."

The pros of the online polyamorous community 

Despite this plethora of challenging experiences, it's a relief to know that our polyamorous content creators aren't going anywhere. "I wouldn't be polyamorous without social media," says Noel. "It's where I found helpful information, made connections, and knew what to expect at NYC polyamory events. Eventually, it opened doors for writing opportunities and the events that I host, which I find rewarding."

"We booked some fun gigs — we were a power throuple!" says Jonzu. "It was a unique time for us to collaborate as queer artists and writers. It felt good at times being told that people look up to us for our dynamic.'"

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... the first teaser for James Gunn's Superman!

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

The teaser wastes no time in getting us acquainted with David Corenswet's (Twisters) take on the Man of Steel. We get glimpses of him in classic Superman mode, from saving a young girl, to running to work at the Daily Planet (as Clark Kent, of course).

But that's not all! The teaser introduces also introduces us to Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane. If the first charged glances Lois and Clark share in the teaser weren't enough to convince you of their chemistry, then their passionate airborne make-out session is sure to do the trick.

Check out the teaser above for all that and more, including looks at Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion (The Suicide Squad) as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus) as Hawkgirl, and Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho.

Superman hits theaters July 11.

Samsung is notorious for releasing a lot of different Android phones under the "Galaxy" umbrella. Some Galaxy S models cost thousands of dollars, while some Galaxy A models are only a couple hundred bucks. So what's the difference anyway?

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

One of the primary issues people face when using Microsoft Word is how the program deals with formatting. At times, it seems the program has a mind of its own! However, many of these frustrations can be solved by displaying non-printing characters.

You'll find a Size column in File Explorer, but it only shows the size of files, such as images and executables, and not folders. So, what's the reason behind this, and is there any way to display folder sizes in this column?

Got a gamer on your Christmas list? Treat them with one of these cool stocking stuffers!

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 19, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are on sale for $229 at Amazon. That's 23% off their list price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Earbuds $229.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you're getting some last-minute shopping done ahead of the holidays, Amazon's here to help with a variety of discounted items and notices of when they'll arrive before Christmas. In particular, if you've had new earbuds on your radar this year, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are currently discounted at Amazon and will even get to you before the big day.

Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are currently on sale for $229, 23% off their list price of $299. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is also their lowest-ever price so there's no better time to grab them. And, as with many items on Amazon right now, right above the 'Add to Cart' button you can see a note that says it'll arrive before Christmas.

We've ranked these earbuds as the best noise-canceling earbuds in our breakdown of the best earbuds of 2024, so you know they're worth the investment. Even our review had high praise for them, with Timothy Beck Werth saying "In terms of audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life, I'm more impressed the longer I use these earbuds."

These are an excellent gift to pick up ahead of the holidays, whether for someone you know or as a little treat for yourself. Don't miss out on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds at their lowest-ever price.

If you're curious to see some more gift ideas at Amazon, it's worth it to have a look at their top 100 holiday gifts. There, you can find even more great deals at the retailer and when they'll be able to hit your doorstep ahead of Christmas.

NordVPN is the service that propelled VPNs to the mainstream, taking out ads across traditional media, YouTube, and TikTok. I tested NordVPN to see if there was more to it than a marketing spin and found some issues, especially regarding performance and pricing.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for December 20, 2024 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To delay or postpone

• Green: Commonly found in a bar

• Blue: Boats or vessels

• Purple: Seen in a classic jungle monkey game

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Defer

• Green: Bar Fixtures

• Blue: Watercraft

• Purple: Seen in "Donkey Kong"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #556 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Defer: DELAY, POSTPONE, SHELVE, TABLE

• Bar Fixtures: COUNTER, KEG, STOOL, TAP

• Watercraft: BARGE, JUNK, SUB, TUG

• Seen in "Donkey Kong": BARREL, GORILLA, HAMMER, LADDER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 20

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Golden 1 Center to face the Sacramento Kings in a Western Conference matchup. Both teams are hovering near the bottom of their conference. The Lakers are 14-12, which puts them in tenth place. The Kings are 13-14 and in 12th place.

The Lakers have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kings have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

When is Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Lakers vs. Kings basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Lakers vs. Kings from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 20, 2024 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for December 20, 2024 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Wandering off course.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

STRAY.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 19

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The New York Knicks head to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks are one of the better teams in the NBA so far, holding steady at third in the Eastern Conference. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are 14-11, which puts them at eighth place in the Western Conference.

The Knicks have won three of their last five games, but it's been up and down. The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games, including back-to-back wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota is also 8-4 at home, where they'll host the Knicks who are 8-6 on the road.

When is New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves?

New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Target Center in Minnesota.

This game will air on TNT.

How to watch New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Knicks vs. Timberwolves basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Knicks vs. Timberwolves from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Different ways to describe throwing a ball

• Green: What to do when you have the football

• Blue: Women in the Olympic pool

• Purple: Brands baseball players might use

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Shoot

• Green: Football offensive strategies

• Blue: Gold medal-winning female swimmers

• Purple: Baseball equipment makers

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #87 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Shoot - FIRE, FLING, HEAVE, LAUNCH

• Football offensive strategies - OPTION, PISTOL, SPREAD, WEST COAST

• Gold medal-winning female swimmers - FRANKLIN, KING, LEDECKY, MANUEL

• Baseball equipment makers - DEMARINI, EASTON, LOUISVILLE SLUGGER, RAWLINGS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.