This LCK matchday delivered high-level action from start to finish, with teams battling for position in the top and middle of the standings. Nongshim RedForce kicked things off with a solid win over KT Rolster, a result that temporarily moved them into fourth place in Round 1-2. The spotlight then shifted to the much-anticipated clash between T1 and Dplus KIA, a thrilling best-of-three that saw T1 edge out their opponents after three explosive and tightly contested games. The series also marked the return of Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong to the starting lineup, as T1 secured a crucial victory to claim fifth place in the standings.

Nongshim on the right track

Nongshim continue to surprise, securing their fifth win in eight matches—and their second in a row against direct rivals, first against BNK FEARX, and now KT Rolster. Despite KT dominating most of the first game, it was the series MVP, toplaner Hwang "Kingen" Seong-hoon, who turned things around on his pocket pick Anivia. The champion, gaining popularity in the LCK, proved lethal in his hands. The second game followed a similar pattern, but this time Kingen was on Nidalee, relentlessly pressuring the side lanes and giving his team the space to play more aggressively across the map. So far, Nongshim have defeated every team outside of the league’s current other top four teams—Gen.G, T1, Hanwha Life Esports and Dplus KIA.

A much-needed win for T1

T1 have been dealing with inconsistent results since the start of the split, struggling to string together back-to-back wins. After falling to FEARX last week, today’s match against Dplus KIA was a must-win, and this time Gumayusi returned to the starting lineup as AD Carry. Game 1 was largely controlled by Dplus KIA, with Kim "Aiming" Ha-ram shining on Varus, but Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun turned the tide with crucial fights on Naafiri, flipping the game in T1's favor. Game 2 was decided at the draft, with DK absolutely dismantling T1—ending with a dominant 23-3 kill score. Choi "Lucid" Yong-hyeok was unkillable on Viego, and their Miss Fortune–Rell botlane combo proved decisive, allowing DK to even the series and take us to an exciting game three.

Game 3 lasted over 44 minutes, and although T1 never once lost their gold lead, they repeatedly saw the game slipping away in tense moments. Once again, it was Oner who stepped up—this time on Lillia—with a 100% kill participation, leading the charge in the chaotic fights that defined the game. Constant lane pressure and heavily contested objectives eventually tipped the scales, allowing T1 to close out the series and secure a hard-fought victory.

Tomorrow, FEARX will face off against the winless DN Freecs, who will be looking to secure their first victory of the split. Later in the morning, the undefeated Gen.G will take on DRX in a best-of-three that looks heavily one-sided on paper. The first series kicks off at 8 AM CET on Saturday, April 26.