LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: DK Bleed But Still Defeat NS
Dplus KIA was perfect in the first week of the LCK Cup. NS, on the other side, were involved in two 2-0 series. The first was a loss to FearX, while the second was a shock victory over Hanwha Life Esports. NS managed to take a game off of DK, but it was not enough. DK has asserted themselves as one of the best teams in the LCK Cup, heading into their matchups with Gen.G Esports and T1.
LCK Cup: Dplus Kia Versus Nongshim Redforce Review
Game One Draft
Dplus KIA – Blue Side
- K’Sante
- Jarvan IV
- Ryze
- Sivir
- Bard
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Rumble
- Pantheon
- Taliyah
- Ezreal
- Neeko
Game One Summary
The junglers traded camps in the early game while trying to outsmart each other’s pathing. Eventually, it led to the First Blood as the mid-jungle from both teams fought. Career arrived first to guarantee the kill on Sponge. Nongshim managed to build a gold lead off the Rift Herald fight. They secured a kill on Lucid to earn the Void Objective. Sponge and Scout followed up by both ulting onto ShowMaker to get a second kill.
NS wasted almost all of their ultimates before the Ocean Soul point fight. That allowed DK the space to contest, win the fight, and steal the Drake. In the ensuing play, DK secured more kills and later the Baron, after they caught Lehends clearing vision. DK tried to siege, but NS fought back, trading kills to stall the push. NS sent an engagement down the mid-lane, but ShowMaker flashed the Neeko ultimate. DK won the fight, took Baron, and ended the game with the ensuing push.
Total Apex Ratings
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – 8
- Lucid – 7
- ShowMaker – 6
- Smash – 7
- Career – 7
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 4
- Sponge – 5
- Scout – 6
- Taeyoon – 4
- Lehends – 3
Player of the game – Siwoo
Game Two Draft
Dplus KIA – Blue Side
- Gwen
- Qiyana
- Zoe
- Varus
- Nautilus
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Ambessa
- Nocturne
- Aurora
- Yunara
- Leona
Game Two Summary
Early trading in the bot lane saw Sponge helping dive Smash. They secured First Blood, but unfortunately, the kill went to Lehends. DK responds with a four-player dive, earning three kills in trade for one. Armageddon ensues as more dives and fights occur everywhere on the rift. Eventually, NS starts to break open the game.
DK is playing a composition that requires being ahead to function, but they are behind 2k gold at 14 minutes. DK fights back to stem the bleeding with a dive on Ambessa. NS sends a dive on the Baron spawn, killing three members. They move to the Baron while DK stops the Drake stacking. DK crumbles at the hands of NS. NS caused DK to lose their first game of the LCK Cup.
Total Apex Ratings
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – 5
- Lucid – 3
- ShowMaker – 4
- Smash – 4
- Career -4
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 7
- Sponge – 9
- Scout – 7
- Taeyoon – 7
- Lehends – 6
Player of the game – Sponge
Game Three Draft
Dplus KIA – Blue Side
- Zaahen
- Vi
- Twisted Fate
- Lucian
- Nami
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Gnar
- Jayce
- Akali
- Kalista
- Renata Glasc
Game Three Summary
First Blood goes to Taeyoon as they get the early 2v2 dive. Lehends does in the exchange, but Smash loses a wave. DK wins the topside fight on the grubs with three kills. At the same time, Taeyoon and Lehends kill Career.
ShowMaker continues to make plays across the map to build a lead for DK. NS loses another fight on the Rift Herald as the game starts to collapse. There is a reason why ShowMaker has a skin on Twisted Fate. Every time NS starts to claw their way back, DK shuts it down. NS goes for a desperation Baron. They lose the fight and the objective, ending up in a 10k gold lead. DK goes on to end the series.
Total Apex Ratings
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – 8
- Lucid – 8
- ShowMaker – 9
- Smash – 8
- Career – 8
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 5
- Sponge – 3
- Scout – 3
- Taeyoon – 4
- Lehends – 4
Player of the game – ShowMaker
Series Summary
NS managed to make DK bleed for the first time in the LCK Cup. They took a dominant victory in the second game of the series. The draft for DK meant they needed to fight early to get a lead. DK failed in the fights and fell behind. DK won game one after recovering from a 3k gold deficit. DK’s teamfighting was always better as they eventually got Smash to six items. The Sivir tore through the opponents.
For the final game, DK left Jayce open. It was the first time that a team did not ban him in the LCK Cup. Sponge showed why Jayce is a permanently banned champion. However, DK played around it, using ShowMaker’s Twisted Fate. He ended the game with a 7k gold lead over Scout to lead DK to a series victory.
Total Apex Series Ratings
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – 7.0
- Lucid – 6.0
- ShowMaker – 6.3
- Smash – 6.3
- Career – 6.3
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 5.3
- Sponge – 5.7
- Scout – 5.3
- Taeyoon – 5.0
- Lehends – 4.3
Player of the series – Siwoo
Other LCK Articles
- LCK Cup Schedule
- LCK Cup Rosters
- LCK Cup Week 2 Predictions
- LCK Cup Week 1 Recap
