LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: T1 Survive a Scare From DRX
T1 had a chance to even up the LCK Cup Group points with a win against DRX. Many expected a T1 win, considering that DRX have not won against them since the 2022 World Championship. DRX nearly pulled off an upset against a shaky T1. They punished T1 for their mistakes and overaggression. Game two was a clean victory for DRX, playing out their lead to perfection. The first week of the LCK Cup ends with Group Baron and Elder tied at 5 points each.
LCK Cup 2026: DRX Versus T1 Match Review
Game One Draft
T1 – Blue Side
- Zaahen
- Nocturne
- Azir
- Aphelios
- Thresh
DRX – First Pick
- Jax
- Xin Zhao
- Orianna
- Yunara
- Bard
Game One Summary
Willer sets his focus on keeping the T1 botlane down. Keria managed to outplay them on the second gank, but then overpushed and died. The Drake fight was incredibly close, with both sides playing well. In the end, DRX gets the Drake, but T1 earns one more kill. Peyz and Keria earn three kills in a 2v3 to extend their lead. DRX managed to fight back on the Rift Herald.
Andil’s Bard ultimate gave DRX two kills and the void objective. DRX earned three kills and tried to take Baron. Their health pools were too low as Faker Teleports in to clean up three members. Oner smites the Baron. T1 threw away their Baron as they go in 1 by 1, and the gold is even. DRX goes for another Baron, but it also backfires as they lose Willer and the Baron. One ace later from T1, and the game ended.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 6
- Willer – 6
- Ucal – 6
- Jiwoo – 6
- Andil – 6
T1
- Doran – 6
- Oner – 7
- Faker – 8
- Peyz – 6
- Keria – 7
Player of the game – Faker
Game Two Draft
T1 – Blue Side
- Gnar
- Sylas
- Ryze
- Kai’Sa
- Neeko
DRX – Second Pick
- Renekton
- Ambessa
- Taliyah
- Corki
- Alistar
Game Two Summary
After a nait-biting trade in the bot lane, Oner went for a dive. However, the dive execution was poor, and Jiwoo earned two kills. Oner lost both Scuttle Crabs and his top side jungle. Andil finds the engagement on T1 to extend Jiwoo’s lead. Doran earns a solo kill on Rich, leading to First Tower Blood and a neutralization of the gold lead. T1 goes for their classic 20-minute Baron. They secure the objective, but lose out on the fight. DRX gets the Mountain Soul. T1’s heroics almost save the game after DRX catches Keria. In the Elder Drake fight, Andil flashes onto Faker to set up a fight win for DRX.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 7
- Willer – 8
- Ucal – 7
- Jiwoo – 7
- Andil – 8
T1
- Doran – 7
- Oner – 4
- Faker – 5
- Peyz – 4
- Keria – 4
Player of the game – Andil
Game Three Draft
DRX – Blue Side
- Gragas
- Vi
- Syndra
- Lucian
- Braum
T1 – Second Pick
- Gwen
- Jarvan IV
- Aurora
- Kalista
- Renata Glasc
Game Three Summary
Both junglers pick up a kill in a 2v2 trade on the top side of the map. Faker had a weird Teleport misclick in the mid lane. That led to Ucal losing Flash and then Faker getting a double kill on the bot side. DRX was able to stop the Drake stacking with two kills, but lost the fight in the ensuing play. The fights between the teams are on a knife-edge. No one can find a significant lead as a result. T1 force gets an early Baron. The ensuing battle is chaotic, with kills traded all over the place.
Ucal’s mid Teleport may have lost the game as T1 gets two kills and two mid-lane Towers. DRX makes a desperate dive on Doran, but it fails. T1 earns four kills to one and the Baron. T1 overstay on the Baron siege, but it does not matter. T1 crushes the Mountain Soul fight and ends the game to win the LCK series.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 4
- Willer – 6
- Ucal -4
- Jiwoo – 6
- Andil – 5
T1
- Doran – 7
- Oner – 7
- Faker – 8
- Peyz – 6
- Keria – 6
Player of the game – Faker
Series Summary
There were many happy accidents from T1 in this LCK series. Neither of their wins was clean. They should have closed out both games quickly. They went for unnecessary plays that resulted in more even game states. Oner’s failed early dive decided the result of game two. T1 had the chance to call off the dive after Oner’s missed chains. Instead, they tried to execute. It resulted in two kills for Jiwoo and Oner falling behind. DRX was able to secure the Drake advantage because of the gold leads. Even though the game went on for a while, the early Mountain Soul meant T1 could not find a win.
Credit must go to DRX as they took the fight to T1. Even if T1 was not at their best, DRX challenged them at every turn. They made the series competitive, and there are positive signs for the rest of the LCK year.
Total Apex Series Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 5.7
- Willer – 6.7
- Ucal – 5.7
- Jiwoo – 6.3
- Andil – 6.3
T1
- Doran – 6.7
- Oner – 6.0
- Faker – 7.0
- Peyz – 5.3
- Keria – 5.7
Player of the Series – Faker
Other LCK Articles
- Nongshim Redforce Versus Hanwha Life Esports Review
- Hanwha Life Esports Versus T1 Review
- Gen.G Esports Versus DRX Review
- LCK Cup Schedule
- LCK Cup Rosters
