LCK 2026 Regular Season Day 16: KT and HLE Continue Their Confident Win Streaks

KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports are first and second, respectively, in the LCK. They continued their winning trend on day 16, having both won their series. KT has now had their best start to a LCK regular season in their history. The two teams could be on winning streaks when they meet each other next week. NS showed some fight in their series, but it was not enough against HLE.

KT Rolster Versus KRX

KT Rolster achieved their best split start in the LCK — Image of KT beating KRX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – The Sivir Yuumi Carry

KRX was competitive in the early and mid-game. They punished KT’s mistakes and had a 3k gold lead at 25 minutes. One fight later, and the gold evaporated as Aiming tore through the KRX members. Every fight from then on was close, except for Aiming’s damage. He stood tall and carried KT alongside Effort to a game victory.

Game Two – A Dominant Display

KRX does their best to fight back against the tides of KT. However, KT responds to every play with a better one. The gold lead builds to an insurmountable number after an extended Rift Herald fight. PerfecT’s Vayne was unstoppable with KRX committing resources elsewhere.

Champions Played

KT Rolster

PerfecT – Jayce, Vayne
Cuzz – Pantheon, Trundle
Bdd – Annie, Orianna
Aiming – Sivir, Ashe
Effort – Yuumi, Seraphine

KRX

Rich – Sion, Gnar
Willer – Xin Zhao, Nocturne
Ucal – Aurora, Azir
Lazyfeel – Ezreal, Corki
Andil – Neeko, Nautilus

Hanwha Life Esports Versus Nongshim Redforce

HLE survived a scare against NS in the LCK — Image of HLE beating NS, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – Zeus is NS’s Target

NS does not want Zeus to be ahead in the game. They target him multiple times with dives. HLE responds to the final dive attempt, and the game explodes. Thanks to Gumayusi already having a lead, the failed dive means HLE has an insurmountable lead. The ultimate combinations for HLE are too much for NS to handle, and the game ends.

Game Two – Sponge Early Game Leads NS

All of the gold for NS goes to Sponge. He has all four of the early kills for his team. He dies on a Baron timer, which gives HLE the confidence to take the objective. NS fight 4v5 after the objective dies. They kill four members to deny any Baron value. NS has the positional advantage on the Ocean Soul, and HLE has to give it up. The game goes to an Elder Drake fight, but Kanavi dies in trade for Kingen. NS Barely push through without any end-game buffs and win the game.

Game Three – Blows Traded

Initially, HLE takes control of the game thanks to Zeka’s roams. Both top laners teleport to the bot lane to help out in a fight. In the end, it goes in HLe’s favor. NS will respond later with picks on Kanavi and Zeus. The latter pick allows them to take the top tier two. With the pendulum swinging towards NS, HLE responds. On the second Baron spawn, HLE has the advantage, but NS bait them into a bad fight, and the gold swings once again. Gumauysi and Delight outplay NS’s dive on the Chemtech Soul fight to carry HLE to the series victory.

Champions Played

Hanwha Life Esports

Zeus – Jayce, Anivia, Rek’Sai
Kanavi – Jarvan IV, Xin Zhao, Nocturne
Zeka – Aurora, Ziggs, Ahri
Gumayusi – Miss Fortune, Sivir, Xayah
Delight – Nautilus, Bard, Lulu

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – Yorick, Gnar, Ambessa
Sponge – Pantheon, Poppy, Wukong
Scout – Ryze, Azir, Akali
Taeyoon – Caitlyn, Corki, Yunara
Lehends – Karma, Nami, Neeko

Business as Usual for KT

KT started slowly in the first game against KRX. There was a chance they would lose their third game in the regular season. They quickly turned it around and took control of the game and the series from that point. KT moves to 7-0, which is their best start to a regular season since the 2017 LCK Spring Split.

NS Push HLE To The Brink

NS has a difficult week, playing against HLE and Gen.G Esports. They nearly kicked off on the right foot, taking the fight to HLE. They have shown, at their peak, that they can be competitive with the top teams. On the other hand, HLE displayed some resolve that was not present in the LCK Cup. Despite losing fights and gold leads, they did not crumble and eventually won the series.