LCK 2026 Round 3 Day 9: HLE Breaks Their Loss Streak Against an Onerless T1
T1 is back to their shenanigans in their series against Hanwha Life Esports. They subbed Oner out for Painter, which Coach Tom described as a tactical decision. They lost 2-1 to HLE after winning two series in a row. HLE avoided losing four series in a row after returning to the LCK. After that, DN SOOPers earned their third series victory of the LCK Regular Season. They earned a shock win over Nongshim Redforce.
A Controlled T1 Win Into Chaos
The series looked over for HLE after game one. T1 dominated from start to finish, showing some control of the game they rarely have. There was no point where the circus reared its head. Even Doran solo killed Zeus in a matchup where he should never find a kill angle. The control did not last for the rest of the series. HLE had early leads in the other two games.
Faker played Locke in game two and did not find an angle until the late game. T1 turned around a deficit, but then gave it away one fight later. Even in game three with the odds stacked against them, T1 kept making plays to extend the game. HLE kept calm, ending their series loss streak. HLE joins T1 and Gen.G Esports on sixteen series wins.
Champions Played
T1
- Doran – Olaf, Gnar, Rumble
- Painter – Pantheon, Lee Sin, Nocturne
- Faker – Galio, Locke, Viktor
- Peyz – Jhin, Caitlyn, Varus
- Keria – Camille, Lux, Bard
Hanwha Life Esports
- Zeus – Anivia, Ambessa, Cho’Gath
- Kanavi – Vi, Jarvan IV, Naafiri
- Zeka – Ryze, Orianna, Ahri
- Gumayusi – Corki, Ziggs, Ezreal
- Delight – Shen, Alistar, Karma
DNS Snatch Victory From the Jaws of Defeat
DNS took a long time to get going in game one. While they kept the gold close, they took over twenty minutes to find their first kill of the series. Even then, they were behind against a Hextech Soul. Somehow, they found the perfect fight with NS looking to chase DNS down. The ace allowed DNS to win game one. Game two was messy, but it would be Peter, time and time again, finding the engages. He set up fight wins and picks that earned DNS leads. His three-player Pulverise was the final nail in the coffin for NS. After a 2-0 week, NS goes 0-2, following the same pattern as Round 1 of the LCK.
Champions Played
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – Jayce, Gnar
- Sponge – Vi, Pantheon
- Scout – Syndra, Orianna
- Diable – Lucian, Varus
- Lehends – Milio, Shen
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – Yorick, Vayne
- Sharvel – Naafiri, Lee Sin
- Clozer – Ryze, Cassiopeia
- deokdam – Ezreal, Jhin
- Peter – Camille, Alistar
Oner Subbed Out
The T1 coaches mentioned after the game that Oner not featuring against HLE was a tactical decision. They want both Junglers to fight for their spot on the core roster. Many T1 fans are getting flashbacks to last year with Gumayusi and Smash. Neither AD Carry player is on the T1 roster this year. Painter’s first LCK series was a disappointing one. He succeeded when the team gave him the resources to get ahead of Kanavi in game one.
However, he was quiet in the rest of the series. He lacked the consistency and understanding that Oner has. That will come with time as he gets more experience on the stage. HLE’s win ties them with T1 and Gen.G Esports on sixteen series victories. T1 remains in first place due to game difference, but with two more weeks of play, anything can happen.
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