Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest”
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Answer: NBA – 3 letters
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Clue number and direction: 1 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest” is answered with NBA in 3 letters. In the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini, NBA appears at 1-Across in the top-left of the grid.
Why NBA Is the Right NYT Answer
The Slam Dunk Contest is a signature event of the NBA All-Star Weekend, officially known today as the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. That makes the National Basketball Association (NBA) the clear “org.” running the competition.
Answer rundowns for the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini explicitly list NBA as the solution for 1-Across, confirming it as the intended fill.
What NBA Means
NBA stands for the National Basketball Association, the top professional men’s basketball league in North America. It organizes the annual All-Star Weekend, which includes the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest, and other fan-favorite events.
So the clue is simply pointing to the league responsible for hosting that famous dunk showcase.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Abbreviations like “Org.” usually signal a shortened name such as NBA, NFL, NHL, or NCAA.
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When a clue mentions the Slam Dunk Contest, All-Star Weekend, or basketball-based contests, NBA is the default 3-letter answer.
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If your pattern is N_A or _BA and the clue references dunk contests, pro hoops, or All-Star events, NBA should be your first guess.
Crossword-Specific Help: Length, Pattern, and Crossings
For 1-Across on February 14, 2026, the NYT Mini gives three squares, which matches NBA exactly. In the completed grid, it appears as:
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NBA(N‑B‑A)
Down entries like BRAVER, ABIGAIL, ORBITED, RHODES, and COWED intersect those letters, so once you fill those longer Downs, they confirm N‑B‑A one letter at a time. With all crossings valid, there’s no alternative 3-letter org that fits as cleanly.
Other Clues Where NBA Might Appear
NBA is one of the most common “sports org.” answers in crosswords and can appear with clues like:
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“Org. for the Knicks and Lakers”
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“Big hoops org.”
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“Slam Dunk Contest org.”
Any 3-letter clue about pro basketball, All-Star events, or famous dunk contests is almost certainly pointing to NBA if crossings match.
Complete February 14, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down)
Here are the key answers from the February 14, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest | NBA | 3 |
| Menacing creature in “The Lord of the Rings” | ORC | 3 |
| Spherical shape | ORB | 3 |
| Greek “r” | RHO | 3 |
| Symbol on Hawaii’s license plate | RAINBOW | 7 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| More courageous | BRAVER | 6 |
| Virginia governor Spanberger | ABIGAIL | 7 |
| Went around the world? | ORBITED | 7 |
| Colossus of ____, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World | RHODES | 6 |
| Intimidated | COWED | 5 |
