8 Down

NYT Daily ? November 30, 2025

Basketball attempt that uses the backboard

Answer:

BANKSHOT

Hint:

This shot often bounces off the glass at a precise angle, favored by players who master its geometry over long-range arcs. Think of it as a strategic ricochet.

Explanation:

A "bank shot" in basketball is when a player bounces the ball off the backboard before it goes into the hoop. The clue hints at this by mentioning a "basketball attempt" that specifically "uses the backboard," making it a straightforward definition. There’s no wordplay here—just a direct reference to a common basketball term. The answer is simply the two-word phrase combined into one: "BANKSHOT."

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints