LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: A Scrappy Victory for DRX
DRX failed to earn their first win in their previous LCK Cup series. Today, they have a chance to put a point on the board against an inconsistent Nongshim Redforce. It was not the prettiest series, but DRX managed to claw their way to victory. They displayed excellent target selection and dive coordination throughout the series. With the victory, they have finally earned a win in the LCK Cup and once again left Group Baron and Group Elder tied at eight points apiece.
LCK Cup 2026: Nongshim Redforce Versus DRX Match Review
Game One Draft
DRX
- Gnar
- Vi
- Ryze
- Kai’Sa
- Neeko
Nongshim Redforce
- Renekton
- Jayce
- Taliyah
- Yunara
- Alistar
Game One Summary
Sponge and Scout moved topside to earn the First Blood on a Tower dive against Rich. Taeyoon solo kills Jiwoo twice in the early game. NS begins to snowball the game, building a near 5k gold lead at 14 minutes. DRX fights back by finding picks on multiple members. NS still has the lead, but DRX reduces it to 2.5k. DRX forces the Baron and secures the objective.
However, they lose the ensuing fight. That allows NS to get their third Drake of the game. DRX continues to execute their dives to perfection. At 27 minutes, they have a 3k gold lead. DRX stomps the fights, finding Taeyoon and Sponge repeatedly. After taking Baron, they ace NS on the bot side to end the first game.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6
- Sponge – 4
- Scout – 6
- Taeyoon – 4
- Lehends – 4
DRX
- Rich – 6
- Willer – 8
- Ucal – 6
- Jiwoo – 7
- Andil – 9
Player of the game – Andil
Game Two Draft
DRX – Blue Side
- Gwen
- Pantheon
- Akali
- Corki
- Poppy
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Zaahen
- Jarvan IV
- Aurora
- Kalista
- Renata Glasc
Game Two Summary
NS executed a dive to kill the DRX bot lane, earning two kills for Taeyoon. Despite the losing lane for DRX, Andil roams top to dive Kingen. They get a kill for Rich and put Kingen significantly behind. DRX neutralizes the bot lane gold lead through two plays. The first was Willer diving alongside Jiwoo. In the second play, they included a Ucal teleport to kill the NS botlane.
The teams trade back and forth until NS’s Hextech Soul fight. DRX once again has the better teamfight as they one-shot Taeyoon. NS catches DRX off guard with a top lane play, which leads to a fight win and the Hextech Soul. Lehends’ hostile takeover denies DRX’s dive and earns NS the Baron. DRX goes for another Teleport flank, but NS slams the door to tie up the series.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6
- Sponge – 6
- Scout – 7
- Taeyoon -5
- Lehends – 8
DRX
- Rich – 7
- Willer – 6
- Ucal – 4
- Jiwoo – 5
- Andil – 3
Player of the game – Lehends
Game Three Draft
Nongshim Redforce
- Sion
- Xin Zhao
- Azir
- Cailyn
- Braum
DRX
- K’Sante
- Jax
- Orianna
- Jhin
- Bard
Game Three Summary
DRX punishes Lehends’ mid roam to kill the Caitlyn under her tower for First Blood. The skirmishes are scrappy from both teams, but neither can build a significant advantage yet. NS is playing disconnected throughout the game, and Andil is punishing their mistakes. DRX catches up to Lehends again, which leads to them killing him and Scout. From there, they take the Baron. DRX struggles to build a further lead, but they keep the advantage.
Scout finds the shuffle in the mid-lane to cut down the gold lead and deny Chemtech Soul. NS chunk Willer to give themselves a chance to move to the Baron. As DRX tries to catch NS, Scout finds Ucal and Taeyoon shred through multiple members. Willer utilizes the empowered Blast Cone to get close enough to Taeyoon for the combo. DRX clean up NS to win the series.
Series Summary
The series today encapsulated NS’s year so far in the LCK Cup. They have had some of the highest highs, but also the lowest lows. Their players have gone from carrying teamfights to making game-losing mistakes. Both games one and three were theirs to win, but they could not close them out. Lehends and Sponge especially need to improve on their synergy as a Jungle-Support duo if they want to contend with the best of the LCK.
DRX, overall, had an impressive series, displaying incredible teamfighting. Andil’s performances in the first and third games were immaculate. However, his performance in game two was suspect at best. Both teams will need to improve if they want to battle at the top.
Total Apex Series Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 6.7
- Willer – 7.0
- Ucal – 5.7
- Jiwoo – 6.0
- Andil – 6.7
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6.3
- Sponge – 4.7
- Scout – 7.0
- Taeyoon – 5.0
- Lehends – 5.0
Player of the series – Willer
Other LCK Articles
- KT Rolster Versus T1 Review
- LCK Cup Week 1 Recap
- LCK Cup Week 2 Predictions
- LCK Cup Schedule
