LCK Cup 2026 Playoffs Match Review: DN SOOPers Crushes DRX Keeping Hopes Alive

DN SOOPers and DRX battle to stay alive in the LCK Cup Playoffs. The loser will not return for LCK action until April. DRX stumbled out of the racing blocks, and they suffered as a result. Despite a resurgence halfway through the series, they fell 3-1. DNS advances in the LCK Cup Playoffs to play against Dplus KIA in another elimination series.

LCK Cup 2026 Playoffs: DN SOOPers Versus DRX Match Review

Naafiri from League of Legends in her original skin played in the LCK — Image of Naafiri, courtesy of Riot Games

Game One Draft

DRX – Blue Side

Ornn
Ambessa
Azir
Ezreal
Nautilus

DN SOOPers – First Pick

Rumble
Pantheon
Orianna
Jhin
Alistar

Game One Summary

Despite some early action, the first kills come through at a 12-minute Drake fight. Pyosik is the first to go down. However, DNS gets two kills, one of which goes to DuDu. In a second edition of the Drake fight, DRX kicks it off by engaging on Pyosik. The engagement fails, and DNS runs over the fight. DNS finds advantages in every play throughout the mid-game. The Ocean Soul and Baron go to DNS. They win a fight on the Baron push and end the game.

Total Apex Ratings

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 8
Pyosik – 8
Clozer – 8
deokdam – 8
Peter – 8

DRX

Rich – 5
Willer – 4
Ucal – 3
Jiwoo – 5
Andil – 4

Player of the game – Pyosik

Game Two Draft

DN SOOPers – Blue Side

Yorick
Wukong
Ahri
Varus
Rakan

DRX – First Pick

Kennen
Xin Zhao
Aurora
Sivir
Leona

Game Two Summary

Willer cancels deokdam’s base to allow for DRX to dive the bot lane. Jiwoo secures both kills, while Willer dies in trade. The First Drake goes over to DNS. A fight ensues after the objective dies, with both teams trading kills. It goes from bad to worse for DRX as they continue to fall behind. DuDu is a menace in the side lane after he won the lane. DRX tries to punish him on his push, but he lives long enough for DNS to defend him. DNS catches Ucal and forces the Baron. DRX tries to stop them, but they lose four members, while only Peter dies. DNS ends the game with a Baron push.

Total Apex Ratings

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 9
Pyosik – 8
Clozer – 8
deokdam – 7
Peter – 7

DRX

Rich – 4
Willer – 4
Ucal – 4
Jiwoo – 4
Andil – 3

Player of the game – DuDu

Game Three Draft

DN SOOPers – Blue Side

Jax
Jarvan IV
Ryze
Xayah
Lulu

DRX – Second Pick

Gnar
Vi
Taliyah
Kai’Sa
Neeko

Game Three Summary

Pyosik and Clozer move down to the bot lane to dive Jiwoo. The First Blood Kill goes over to Clozer. DRX can not find a footing in the game. They look to make plays on DuDu, but they are unsuccessful. The second play earns the kill on DuDu, but they lose two in trade. DRX earns Soul Point through a kill on DuDu. DRX finally finds their place in the series, winning the Infernal Soul fight. With the Soul at their backs, they crush a fight near the Baron. DRX does not end with Baron, but the game ends shortly after.

Total Apex Ratings

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 5
Pyosik – 5
Clozer – 4
deokdam – 4
Peter – 5

DRX

Rich – 7
Willer – 8
Ucal – 7
Jiwoo – 7
Andil – 6

Player of the game – Willer

Game Four Draft

DRX – Blue Side

Jayce
Dr. Mundo
Twisted Fate
Yunara
Karma

DN SOOPers – Second Pick

Renekton
Naafiri
Viktor
Corki
Rell

Game Four Summary

The First Blood kill only occurs at six minutes, with some action across the rift. Pyosik secures the First Blood kill on Rich with the setup from DuDu. The Second Drake fight starts in DRX’s favor. They get the kill on Clozer, and the smite on the Drake. However, in the ensuing play, Peter turns to guarantee two additional kills. DNS goes for a questionable fight in the jungle, losing two members. It gets worse for DNS as they lose successive fights. Even when they kill Ucal and Andil first, they lose the fight. DNS manages to deny Infernal Soul point for DRX.

The game slows down until the next Drake fight. DuDu and Peter manage to find an engagement on Jiwoo. The DRX AD carry dies, and DNS wins the fight. They move to Infernal Soul point and secure the Baron. DNS throws away their Baron push after they get caught in DRX’s jungle. In an extended fight for DNS’s Soul, they win and earn the Infernal Soul. DNS manages to win another fight and ends the series.

Total Apex Ratings

DN SOOPers

DuDu – 7
Pyosik – 9
Clozer – 8
deokdam – 8
Peter – 7

DRX

Rich – 4
Willer – 6
Ucal – 4
Jiwoo – 6
Andil – 5

Player of the game – Pyosik

Series Summary

DNS beat DRX 3-1 in the LCK Cup Playoffs — Image of DNS beating DRX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

DRX failed to show up during the first two games of the LCK Cup series. Their performance was lackluster, and DNS stormed to a 2-0 lead. With DRX having better drafting and better gameplay, they managed to fight back. They took game three to stay alive in the series. They had control in the fourth game. After a won teamfight, the DRX coaches started singing the Silver Scrapes tune. However, despite their lead, they faltered. DNS won scrappy teamfight after scrappy teamfight to secure the 3-1 series victory. They will face Dplus KIA tomorrow in the LCK Cup Playoffs.

Total Apex Series Ratings

DN SOOPers