LCK Cup 2026 Play-In Match Review: DRX Stuns NS With A Dominant Victory

DRX and Nongshim Redforce face off for the final spot in the LCK Cup Playoffs. The loser will compete in the LCK for two months and misses out on First Stand. DRX came into the series today with a point to prove. They handily defeated NS 3-0. The teams seemed to have opposite reactions to their losses yesterday. DRX moves on to the LCK Cup Playoffs, where they will rematch against Dplus KIA.

LCK Cup 2026: DRX Versus Nongshim Redforce Match Review

Nautilus from League of Legends Played in the LCK — Image of Nautilus, courtesy of Riot Games

Game One Draft

Nongshim Redforce – Blue Side

Ambessa
Malphite
Orianna
Lucian
Braum

DRX – First Pick

Gwen
Pantheon
Azir
Yunara
Nautilus

Game One Summary

Scout trades flashes with Ucal to garner an early lane advantage. With both mid laners not having Flash, they died in a skirmish. DRX breaks open the game through the bot lane. Initially, Jiwoo earns a kill on Taeyoon. In the follow-up, they aim to dive the NS botlane. Scout teleports down to stop the dive, but then face checks a bush. As a result, all three players die for NS.

Sponge targets Rich on three occasions. The first two attempts are successful, but the DRX responds to the third one. The lead continues to build for DRX as they win every fight and skirmish throughout the map. The writing is on the wall for a while until DRX ends the game at 27 minutes.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

DuDu – 8
Willer – 9
Ucal – 8
Jiwoo – 9
Andil – 9

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 5
Sponge – 4
Scout – 3
Taeyoon – 4
Lehends – 3

Player of the game – Willer

Game Two Draft

DRX – Blue Side

K’Sante
Jarvan IV
Syndra
Corki
Alistar

Nongshim Redforce

Sion
Vi
Taliyah
Ezreal
Leona

Game Two Summary

Willer lane ganks the NS botlane and earns two kills after Taeyoon shifts in. The first fight also goes in favor of DRX as they prevent NS from stacking Drakes. Andil finds the angle on Scout to guarantee the fight win for DRX on their Hextech Soul point fight. NS catches Ucal, and they decide to force Baron as a result. They try to turn when DRX shows up, but they falter. DRX earns four kills and the Baron. NS tries to fight back against the Hextech Soul, but they are too far behind. Game two lasts longer than the first one, but it felt just as dominant for DRX.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

DuDu – 7
Willer – 8
Ucal – 7
Jiwoo – 7
Andil – 9

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 5
Sponge – 5
Scout – 5
Taeyoon – 3
Lehends – 4

Player of the game – Andil

Game Three Draft

DRX – Blue Side

Gnar
Xin Zhao
Aurora
Sivir
Karma

Nongshim Redforce – First Pick

Renekton
Wukong
Viktor
Varus
Renata Glasc

Game Three Summary

Scout solo kills Ucal for the First Blood of the game. Andil and Jiwoo once again have the advantage in the bot lane. They kill Taeyoon on two separate occasions. Sponge secures the crab for the first level six on a jungler. He instantly engages, and they kill Willer and secure the first Drake. Despite DRX being at a disadvantage in the mid lane, they demolish the second Drake fight. They outplay NS mechanically, earning four kills and the Drake. For the third game in a row, DRX runs away with the first gold lead that they get. They had a couple of sketchy fights, but ultimately closed out the series with a 3-0 win.

Total Apex Ratings

DRX

Rich – 8
Willer – 8
Ucal – 6
Jiwoo – 8
Andil – 9

Nongshim Redforce

Kingen – 5
Sponge – 6
Scout – 5
Taeyoon – 2
Lehends – 4

Player of the game – Andil

Series Summary

DRX beat NS 3-0 in the LCK Cup Play-Ins — Image of DRX beating NS again, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

DRX controlled the series from start to finish. Even at times when NS had leads, it did not look like they were in control. The two teams had different reactions to their losses yesterday. DRX adapted after their loss to Dplus KIA yesterday. On the other hand, NS seemed stunned by the loss in game three against DN SOOPers. They never got out of the starting blocks in the series. DRX has now advanced to the LCK Cup Playoffs, while NS must wait until April.

Total Apex Series Ratings

DRX