LCK Cup 2026 Match Review: NS Hold off the Reverse Sweep to Keep Hopes Alive
Group Baron needs to win all of their series to win the LCK Cup Group Battle. Their search for victories begins with Nongshim Redforce against KT Rolster. At first, it appeared that NS would run away with the series. However, Bdd had other ideas, as he dragged KT to a fifth game. NS was able to close out the series and kept Group Baron alive in the LCK Cup Group Battle.
LCK Cup 2026: Nongshim Redforce Versus KT Rolster Match Review
Game One Draft
KT Rolster – Blue Side
- Ambessa
- Vi
- Taliyah
- Corki
- Nautilus
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Aatrox
- Pantheon
- Ryze
- Yunara
- Neeko
Game One Summary
Pollu is the starter for KT Rolster. A 4v4 for the bottom Scuttle Crab ensues at 6 minutes. With Aiming unable to join the fight, Taeyoon kills Vi for First Blood. Taeyoon and Lehends dominate the bot lane, with 2 kills and a 1k gold lead at 10 minutes. NS continues to build a lead for Taeyoon as Sponge and Scout dive the bot lane. KT’s mid-jungle shows up, but they are too late to save Pollu, and Cuzz dies.
NS botched the initial Cloud Soul point fight. Fortunately, Lehends bought them time to secure the Drake. KT tries to push mid-tower, but NS punishes them and secures five kills. NS dominates the fourth Drake fight and moves on to take the Cloud Soul. NS ends by utilizing the Baron push.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6
- Sponge – 6
- Scout – 8
- Taeyoon – 8
- Lehends – 9
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 4
- Cuzz – 5
- Bdd – 6
- Aiming – 4
- Pollu – 3
Player of the game – Lehends
Game Two Draft
Nongshim Redforce – Blue Side
- Gnar
- Xin Zhao
- Orianna
- Kalista
- Renata Glasc
KT Rolster – First Pick
- Renekton
- Wukong
- Azir
- Ezreal
- Karma
Game Two Summary
Ghost subs in for the second game. Taeyoon and Lehends continue their bot lane dominance in a tense matchup. Ghost tries to hold the wave for Aiming, but dies to Sponge for First Blood. Similar to the first game, NS helps their bot lane to extend the advantage. KT manages to fight back with kills, but Kingen becomes a problem in the side lanes.
On NS’s Ocean Soul, KT wins the fight and denies the Drake. However, moments later, Kingen punishes Aiming’s positioning and earns Baron for NS. The Baron Powerplay crests above 3k gold. KT has no position on the Drake fight, and NS secures the Ocean Soul. NS wins the second Baron fight and earns a positional advantage on the Elder Drake. With Exodia at their backs, NS ends game two.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 7
- Sponge – 7
- Scout – 7
- Taeyoon – 6
- Lehends – 8
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 5
- Cuzz – 4
- Bdd – 7
- Aiming – 5
- Ghost – 3
Player of the game – Lehends
Game Three Draft
Nongshim Redforce – Blue Side
- K’Sante
- Malphite
- Yone
- Jinx
- Lulu
KT Rolster – Second Pick
- Zaahen
- Dr. Mundo
- Ahri
- Aphelios
- Blitzcrank
Game Three Summary
Bdd solo kills Scout for the First Blood. For the third game in a row, Taeyoon and Lehends earn a kill and lead in the bot lane. KT’s botlane is under pressure again, while Bdd smashes the mid lane. He secures a second solo kill on Scout and nearly has a 2k gold lead at 10 minutes. The teams continue to trade blows, but KT comes out on top for the first time in the series. KT wins the Cloud Soul Fight thanks to a hook from Ghost. Ghost hooks Taeyoon again, and KT gets the Baron. KT is on the board after ending the game with a Baron push.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 5
- Sponge – 4
- Scout – 3
- Taeyoon – 4
- Lehends – 5
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 7
- Cuzz – 6
- Bdd – 10
- Aiming – 5
- Ghost – 7
Player of the game – Bdd
Game Four Draft
KT Rolster – Blue Side
- Rek’Sai
- Jax
- Akali
- Lucian
- Braum
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Gragas
- Jarvan IV
- Galio
- Caitlyn
- Tahm Kench
Game Four Summary
NS earned an early lead with two kills and the First Drake. Once again, the NS botlane has a lead. Cuzz manages to bail out his bot lane with two consecutive ganks. NS tries to force plays on the bot side and in the mid-lane, but both fail. As a result, KT builds a significant gold advantage. KT slowly builds on their lead while moving towards Ocean Soul. NS manages to push KT’s misplays on the Baron and pushes down mid to take the inhibitor. They stay too long, and KT earns three kills and the Ocean Soul. KT finally gets a decisive teamfight in the mid lane and ends game four.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6
- Sponge – 4
- Scout – 5
- Taeyoon – 6
- Lehends – 7
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 6
- Cuzz – 7
- Bdd – 8
- Aiming – 7
- Ghost – 6
Player of the game – Bdd
Game Five Draft
KT Rolster – Blue Side
- Sion
- Nocturne
- Syndra
- Miss Fortune
- Rakan
Nongshim Redforce – First Pick
- Olaf
- Trundle
- Aurora
- Kai’Sa
- Shen
Game Five Summary
Cuzz impacts the bot lane to earn the First Blood. The early game is relatively slow with a couple of kills. Most importantly, NS has the first two Drakes of the game. NS moves to Cloud Soul Point, without either team building an advantage. Sponge and Lehends work with Scout to dive Bdd. Moments later, Scout secures the Bot Tower and a 1k gold lead over Bdd. Cuzz manages to deny the Cloud Soul, but it does not matter. NS mop up the fight, thanks to Kingen, and they move to Baron. KT tries to catch Scout, but they fail. NS pushes down mid and ends the LCK Cup series.
Total Apex Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 8
- Sponge – 7
- Scout – 7
- Taeyoon – 6
- Lehends – 6
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 5
- Cuzz – 5
- Bdd – 6
- Aiming – 4
- Ghost – 3
Player of the game – Kingen
Series Summary
NS surged to a 2-0 series lead. It seemed that they were going to run away with the series. KT offered little in the first two games. A big talking point throughout was the bot lane. NS always seemed to have a leg up in the series. Sponge put focus on ensuring that his bot lane maintained their lead.
Bdd was not taking a 3-0 series loss. He came alive in the third game. Bdd had three solo kills on Scout and carried his team to victory. Game four was a better showing from KT. It still had issues as they almost threw an unlosable game. Ultimately, NS would close out the series in game five and keep Group Baron’s hopes alive in the LCK Cup.
Total Apex Series Ratings
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – 6.4
- Sponge – 5.6
- Scout – 6.0
- Taeyoon – 6.0
- Lehends – 7.0
KT Rolster
- PerfecT – 5.4
- Cuzz – 5.4
- Bdd – 7.4
- Aiming – 5.2
- Ghost – 4.75
- Pollu – 3
Player of the Series – Bdd
Other LCK Articles
- LCK Cup Schedule
- LCK Cup Week 1 Recap
- LCK Cup Week 2 Recap
- LCK Cup Week 2 Predictions
- LCK Cup Week 3 Predictions
