LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: DNS Puts a Point In the Victory Column
DRX and DN SOOPers left week one of the LCK Cup without a series win. They were among the four teams that did not get a victory in the first week. Despite a dominant game one, DRX were unable to translate that into a point on the board. DNS managed to fight back to get a point for Group Baron. They are moving towards a more successful LCK year than they did in 2025.
LCK Cup 2026: DRX Versus DN SOOPers Review
Game One Draft
DN SOOPers – Blue Side
- Rek’Sai
- Xin Zhao
- Azir
- Yunara
- Alistar
DRX
- Renekton
- Nocturne
- Orianna
- Corki
- Braum
Game One Summary
Peter is back in the roster. DNS’s botlane looks for the win in 2v2 fights. After one failed 2v2 where they nearly killed Jiwoo, they attempted a second one. However, they did not get close, and both of them died. DRX slowly bleeds DNS out of the game. DNS tried to make a play in the top lane. DNS does not coordinate the play well, and DRX responds perfectly. The first 5v5 fight goes in favor of DRX. They earn five kills in trade for two and secure the Baron. The Mountain Soul fight is a wipe. Minutes later, DRX ended the game.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 8
- Willer – 9
- Ucal – 8
- Jiwoo – 8
- Andil – 8
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – 5
- Pyosik – 3
- Clozer – 5
- deokdam – 4
- Peter – 3
Player of the game – Willer
Game Two Draft
DRX – Blue Side
- Gnar
- Pantheon
- Taliyah
- Sivir
- Leona
DN SOOPers – 2nd Pick
- Kennen
- Lee Sin
- Ryze
- Aphelios
- Neeko
Game Two Summary
Andil makes an early roam to the top river to help Willer on the Scuttle Crab. The roam secures First Blood. With all Andil’s roaming, he is low level. DNS catches the level 3 Leona in the pit. The ensuing fight is messy, but DNS emerges ahead. DRX fight their way back in the mid-game as they continue to find picks. The gold lead stays in DNS’s favor, but it is well within DRX’s reach.
Jiwoo overchases on the Chemtech Soul Fight. Peter catches his mistake that allows DNS to get the fight win, leading to the Drake. DNS took Baron, but they were unable to end the game on the push. However, the lead grew beyond DRX, and DNS tied the series.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 3
- Willer – 6
- Ucal – 4
- Jiwoo – 4
- Andil -3
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – 6
- Pyosik – 7
- Clozer – 7
- deokdam – 8
- Peter – 6
Player of the game – deokdam
Game Three Draft
DN SOOPers – Blue Side
- K’Sante
- Jayce
- Zoe
- Kalista
- Renata Glasc
DRX – Second Pick
- Gwen
- Jarvan IV
- Aurora
- Lucian
- Nami
Game Three Summary
Clozer earns First Blood by killing Ucal in the 1v1. DRX’s botlane trades well to set up a dive. Willer shows up to earn kills for himself and Jiwoo. The first skirmish goes in favor of DRX thanks to Ucal’s distraction. Jiwoo has a gold lead above 1.5k, but the teams remain even in gold. DRX continues to win on the map, but can never build a gold lead.
DNS finally fights back after DRX misuses their ultimates. The fight win allows DNS to take Baron. The slight gold lead that DNS had balloons to 7k during their Baron push. Peter woke up during the game to find value on the Renata. DNS struggled to close out cleanly. Pyosik dies near the Baron, granting DRX the chance to secure the objective and halve the gold lead. With a potential comeback on the cards, DNS’s bot lane slams the door in the face of DRX to win the series.
Total Apex Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 6
- Willer – 6
- Ucal – 4
- Jiwoo – 6
- Andil – 5
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – 8
- Pyosik – 5
- Clozer – 9
- deokdam – 7
- Peter – 7
Player of the game – Clozer
Series Summary
After the first game of the LCK Cup series, many expected it to be a quick one. DRX dominated with a clean macro win. They only needed a few kills to grow a significant lead. DNS fought back for the rest of the series. Game two was close for a while, but once DNS got ahead, it became impossible for DRX to win. It appeared that game three was going on an identical course to the previous one.
DNS had surged to a 10k gold lead with a poke composition. Mistakes from DNS allowed DRX to stay alive. Pyosik died near the Baron, which halved the gold lead. Eventually, DNS pulled the trigger, won a fight, and ended the series. Despite a positive start, DRX is now at three losses in the LCK Cup, and their position in the postseason is dire.
Total Apex Series Ratings
DRX
- Rich – 5.7
- Willer – 7.0
- Ucal – 5.3
- Jiwoo – 6.0
- Andil – 5.3
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – 6.3
- Pyosik – 5.0
- Clozer – 7.0
- deokdam – 6.3
- Peter – 5.3
Player of the series – Clozer
Other LCK Articles
- LCK Cup Rosters
- Dplus KIA Versus Nongshim Redforce Review
- LCK Cup Week 2 Predictions
- LCK Cup Week 1 Recap
