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LCK Week 15 just delivered the most explosive single day of the split. On April 29, T1 dismantled Nongshim RedForce 2-0, then HLE followed up by sweeping KT Rolster 2-0, setting up one of the most anticipated matches of the season. The collision is confirmed: HLE vs T1, May 1 at 10:00 UTC (19:00 KST), with Patch 26.9 adding a fresh layer of unpredictability.
T1 opened the day with a clean 2-0 win over NS RedForce. NS entered at 4-5 in the standings, but T1 showed sharp execution and left no doubt about the result. The win pushed T1 to 6-3, firmly inside playoff contention.
HLE then made the day's biggest statement. Sweeping KT Rolster 2-0 is significant on its own, but the context makes it extraordinary: KT entered the match undefeated at 8-0. HLE didn't just extend their own lead, they dealt KT their first loss of the entire split.
T1's victory over NS signals a team building momentum at the right time. After a 5-3 record midway through the split, T1 needed a confidence-boosting win before the calendar turned to higher-stakes matches. They got exactly that.
HLE, meanwhile, look like the best team in Korea right now. An 8-1 record with 16 map wins against only 4 losses shows they are not just winning, they are winning cleanly. Sweeping the only other undefeated team on the same day T1 was watching? Ideal timing.
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HLE sits first in the LCK standings. T1 is third. A T1 win here tightens the playoff picture significantly and gives them a statement result heading into the final weeks. An HLE win cements their status as the outright favourite for the split title.
Both teams are also building toward international competition. BLG's win at First Stand 2026 raised the bar for what a dominant team looks like, and both HLE and T1 will want to make a case for Korea heading into summer.
Patch 26.9 is live for this matchup. Ambessa receives a meaningful nerf to her ultimate, reducing her priority in solo queue and potentially on the LCK stage. That creates space for AD Kennen and AP Ezreal, two champions now climbing the tier list thanks to the latest item changes.
How quickly each coaching staff adapts to the Patch 26.9 meta shifts could be the deciding factor on May 1. Follow the current meta builds on Amber.gg's LoL meta page to stay ahead of the curve.
The stage is set. Both teams are in form, the patch just shook the meta, and there's real playoff seeding on the line. Don't miss this one.
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