LCK 2026 Regular Season Day 9: A Day of Breaking Records
KRX has never won an LCK series on a Saturday. Not many expected them to break that today. However, they defeated Nongshim Redforce 2-0 despite falling behind early in both games. The next series featured another record broken. Dplus KIA had not won a match against Gen.G Esports for over five years. They broke it today, with a mostly convincing victory over the LCK Cup champions.
Nongshim Redforce Versus KRX
Game One – NS’s Lead Crumbles Away
NS built a significant lead early in game one. Most of it fell to Taeyoon. KRX’s bot lane did not compete with Taeyoon and Lehends. Once the laning phase ended, everything changed. KRX punished the poor positions and decision-making by NS. There was no point in the mid-game where it seemed that KRX was not in control.
Game Two – Rich Sets Up The Success
Unlike the first game, neither team built a significant early lead. It would be Rich’s GNAR into the wall on the third Drake fight that changed the outcome of the game. From that point on, KRX took control thanks to their first Baron push. A few minutes later, KRX ended the game and the series.
Champions Played
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – Jayce, Ambessa
- Sponge – Jarvan IV, Pantheon
- Scout – Ryze, Annie
- Taeyoon – Jhin, Corki
- Lehends – Anivia, Nautilus
KRX
- Rich – Yorick, Gnar
- Willer – Vi, Poppy
- Ucal – Orianna, Aurora
- Lazyfeel – Ezreal, Yunara
- Andil – Neeko, Alistar
Dplus KIA Versus Gen.G Esports
Game One – Career’s Redemption
Career has had a rough start to the LCK. However, today was his chance at redemption. He stood out on Bard and was pivotal to a game-one win. He found the angle on Ruler and Duro in the Mountain Soul fight and got the last hit on the Drake. He had multiple crucial Tempered Fates that led to DK winning.
Game Two – The Mid-Game Comp Wins Out
DK’s draft was all about the mid-game and Drake stacking. However, they were not the first team to reach soul point, nor did they have a significant gold. It was looking dire for them in the second game. All DK needed was one teamfight where they had Gen.G surrounded. They prevented the Infernal Soul and moved to end the game.
Champions Played
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – Gnar, Renekton
- Lucid – Jarvan IV, Wukong
- ShowMaker – Anivia, Annie
- Smash – Caitlyn, Kalista
- Career – Bard, Renata Glasc
Gen.G Esports
- Kiin – K’Sante, Zaahen
- Canyon – Pantheon, Xin Zhao
- Chovy – Ryze, Aurora
- Ruler – Ezreal, Yunara
- Duro – Pyke, Seraphine
Two Teams In Opposite Trajectories
KRX and NS were at different points at the start of the week. NS were 2-0, and KRX were 0-2. Now, after two series this week, they are tied. It has been a complete 180 for KRX, who won their first series on a Saturday in the LCK. They were by far the better team today, and the worries for NS reappear. They can not seem to string together consistent results, and now the top five seem in doubt. KRX looked dire after week one, but now expectations for the roster are back on the rise. This week has proven that you can not make assumptions after a week of matches.
Dplus KIA Finally Defeats Gen.G
The last time DK won against Gen.G was in 2021. At the time, they were known as Damwon Gaming and were the best team in the LCK. The relief for ShowMaker was evident after the second Nexus fell. He is the only player on the roster who was present for all the losses at Gen.G’s hands. DK was much better today. Their drafts were more playable, and they had fewer mistakes. After Gen.G dismantled T1 earlier this week, many expected the same result today. However, Gen.G did not deliver the same level of performance, and DK punished them for it.
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We will cover the LCK Regular Season at Total Apex Entertainment, with daily summaries and weekly previews/reviews.
