LCK 2026 Regular Season Day 23: HLE Momentarily in First Place After Beating T1
After beating KT Rolster, Hanwha Life Esports moved above them in the LCK standings. However, they were only ahead because of head-to-head. The victory for HLE momentarily gives them the sole lead, with KT playing on Sunday. HANJIN BRION also moved away from their counterpart with their dominant victory over DN SOOPers. DNS ends LCK Round 1 in last place.
DN SOOPers Versus HANJIN BRION
Game One – Clean From Start to Finish
BRO were on the cusp of upsetting T1 last week. They have started this week with a bang. They barely put a foot wrong in game one. It all started with a dive from members of BRO on DNS’s bot lane. The game snowballed from there as BRO continued to build a lead. Even when DNS picked up their first kill of the game, in 3v1, Roamer traded a kill back. BRO did not get overexcited and closed out the game methodically.
Game Two – Slow Start Into Explosive Mid-Game
The early game was mostly even. However, it felt like the game was slipping from BRO’s grasp. They had yet to coordinate a clean dive until the mid-game. One perfectly executed dive later, and the momentum swung. BRO had the gold lead and control of the map. DNS could never contest a Drake and had to walk into danger to fight for the Baron. BRO only went for guaranteed plays, ballooning their lead. Even when their dive was not perfect, the gold lead was too much for DNS to handle.
Champions Played
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – Renekton, Rumble
- Pyosik – Jarvan IV, Vi
- Clozer – Aurora, Ahri
- deokdam – Yunara, Jhin
- Quantum – Lulu, Alistar
HANJIN BRION
- Casting – Gnar, Ambessa
- GIDEON – Xin Zhao, Nocturne
- Roamer – Annie, Galio
- Teddy – Lucian, Corki
- Namgung – Milio, Neeko
Hanwha Life Esports Versus T1
Game One – A Topsy-Turvy Game
The early and mid-game was bloody between the two teams. T1 had the majority of the kills, but the gold remained close. There was only a 2k gold lead for T1. However, they were one Drake away from Mountain Soul. Kanavi led the charge for HLE to recover and get their first major gold lead of the game. With no frontline, T1 struggled to get into fights, and HLE denied them, finding an angle.
Game Two – T1 Wrestle Back Control
Kanavi flashes over the Drake pit wall for an early gank on T1’s bot lane. The play works, and Peyz is significantly behind. HLE makes a mistake by going for the first Drake, and T1 evens out the advantage. The skirmishes go in HLE’s favor, killing four in T1’s jungle. HLE made a mistake by going for Baron. They get the objective but lose four members and control of the game. The upcoming fights were a masterclass from both teams. Both played in and out, but that suited T1’s composition more. They get Cloud Soul, and eventually, HLE makes a desperation play that fails.
Game Three – Zeka and Kanavi Run The Show
Zeka and Kanavi run the early game for HLE. They earn the First Blood kill, and it becomes difficult for Oner to play the game. Oner’s first two Grand Starfalls miss the mark, and T1 falls behind. HLE overplays on the bot tier tw, but it merely stalls the game. HLE plays slowly and methodically to take Ocean Soul and Baron. They refuse to start the Elder, forcing T1 to face check. Doran dies, and the floodgates open for HLE to win.
Champions Played
Hanwha Life Esports
- Zeus – Yorick, Gwen, Jayce
- Kanavi – Jarvan IV, Xin Zhao, Vi
- Zeka – Azir, Anivia, Ahri
- Gumayusi – Miss Fortune, Lucian, Xayah
- Delight – Bard, Alistar
T1
- Doran – Varus, Sion, Gragas
- Oner – Nocturne, Lee Sin, Pantheon
- Faker – Annie, Twisted Fate, Aurora
- Peyz – Jhin, Aphelios, Kai’Sa
- Keria – Karma, Milio, Poppy
HANJIN BRION Close Out With A Win
The final game of the LCK Round 1 featured the teams in last place. BRO came in with a point to prove in this series. They were levels ahead of DNS and crushed them at every turn. The DNS loss has created concerns that they will finish 10th again. There will need to be a significant turnaround for them to improve.
Hanwha Life Esports Gets Their Revenge
HLE has one blemish on their LCK record. They lost their first series to T1, but have since been on a tear. They proved today that they deserve to be first in the LCK. While games one and two were close, the final game was a stomp. They went even with T1 at their best and punished them when they slipped.
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We will cover the LCK Regular Season at Total Apex Entertainment, with daily summaries and weekly previews/reviews.
