Kha Y Tran T1’s decision to bench Oner has sparked a big debate among League of Legends fans. Young jungler Painter started against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE). However, T1 lost the match. As a result, many fans are now asking why the team made the change. Some have also compared the move to the past Gumayusi-Smash situation.
Follow the LCK matches at: https://www.youtube.com/@LCKglobal
T1 Benches Oner Before the HLE Match
T1 surprised fans before its match against HLE. Instead of starting Oner, the team gave young jungler Painter a chance. It was a bold move. However, the timing made the decision even more surprising.
HLE is one of T1’s biggest rivals in LCK 2026. The team is also the MSI champion. Therefore, this was not an easy match for T1.
At the same time, T1 had been showing good form. The team was also fighting for an important place in the LCK standings. Because of this, many fans did not expect Oner to be left out. Oner has played with Faker for a long time. As a result, the two players have built strong teamwork.
They know how to play around jungle fights. They also know how to control key objectives. More importantly, they have built strong habits over many games. Therefore, replacing Oner before such an important match was always going to be risky.
T1 eventually lost to HLE. Because of that, the decision to start Painter became an even bigger topic among fans.
Why Are Fans Questioning T1’s Decision?
Giving a young player a chance is not a bad thing. In fact, it can help a team build for the future. Young players need real matches to gain experience. They also need time to learn how to play under pressure.
However, the main issue is the timing. T1 did not test Painter against a weak team.
Instead, the team put him into the lineup against HLE. That made the situation much harder. HLE is a strong team with a deep roster. In addition, the team has already shown that it can win against top opponents.
Meanwhile, T1 is entering an important part of the LCK 2026 season. Every win now matters more. Every loss can also affect the team’s position.
Therefore, some fans believe T1 should have tested Painter in a less important match first. The loss to HLE has only made those questions louder.
Still, it would be unfair to blame Painter for the result alone. League of Legends is a team game. Many factors can decide a match.
The decision to start Painter was made by the coaching staff. Therefore, the staff must also take responsibility for the result.
Painter Now Faces Huge Pressure
For Painter, playing for T1 is a major chance. He can now show what he can do on one of the biggest League of Legends teams in the world.
However, the pressure is also very high. T1 has one of the largest fan bases in esports. Because of this, even small mistakes can get a lot of attention.
Painter also has another problem. He is replacing Oner, a player with much more experience on the T1 roster. So, fans will naturally compare the two junglers. If Painter plays well, the change could look like a smart move.
However, if he struggles, the pressure could grow very quickly. This is why some fans are already thinking about the Gumayusi-Smash situation.
Fans Remember the Gumayusi-Smash Case
The Gumayusi-Smash situation was one of the biggest T1 stories last season. Gumayusi was an experienced player and a long-time part of the T1 lineup.
However, he lost his starting spot early in the season. Smash was then given a chance. The change led to a lot of debate. When Smash played poorly, some fans asked why T1 had replaced Gumayusi.
On the other hand, when Gumayusi returned and did not play well, the debate started again. As a result, both players faced a lot of pressure.
Now, some fans fear that Painter could face a similar situation. Of course, the Oner-Painter case is not exactly the same. Still, there is one clear similarity. A young player is being given a starting role while an experienced player sits on the bench.
That can create pressure for everyone involved.
T1 Now Has a Difficult Choice
After the loss to HLE, T1 has a difficult decision to make. Should the team continue with Painter? Or should Oner return to the starting lineup?
If T1 keeps Painter, the young jungler will need more time to improve. He will also need to build better teamwork with Faker and the rest of the roster. That will not happen overnight. However, more games could help Painter gain confidence.
On the other hand, bringing Oner back right away could create another problem. Some fans may see the first change as a failed experiment. Others may question why Painter was given the chance in such an important match.
Therefore, T1 must handle the situation with care. The team needs a clear plan for both players.
The T1 Coaching Staff Must Take Responsibility
Painter should not carry all the blame. He did not choose to replace Oner. The coaching staff made that decision.
Because of this, the focus should also be on the reasons behind the change. Was Painter chosen for a specific strategy? Was T1 trying to give him more experience? Or was there another reason for leaving Oner on the bench? Clear answers could help reduce the pressure on both players.
At the same time, T1 needs to explain its plans as clearly as possible. If Painter is part of a planned rotation, fans may accept the move more easily.
However, if the team keeps changing its lineup without a clear plan, more questions will follow.
T1 Must Avoid Another Gumayusi Situation
The biggest issue is not simply Oner or Painter. Instead, it is how T1 manages its players. The Gumayusi-Smash case showed how quickly a lineup change can become a major story.
Therefore, T1 must be careful this time. Painter should be allowed to learn from his mistakes. He should not become the main target after one bad game.
At the same time, Oner needs to know where he stands. Clear communication will be important.
Furthermore, the coaching staff must make sure that the competition stays healthy. If handled well, having two strong junglers could actually help T1.
Both players could push each other to improve. However, if the situation becomes unclear, it could hurt team morale.
What Happens Next for Oner and Painter?
The loss to HLE does not end T1’s season. There is still plenty of time for the team to improve. Painter could become an important player for T1 in the future. However, he needs time and support to grow.
Meanwhile, Oner remains a key part of the team. His experience is valuable. His teamwork with Faker is also something T1 has built over many seasons.
Therefore, the next few matches could be very important. T1 must decide how to use both players.
If the team has a clear plan, the current controversy could fade over time. On the other hand, more lineup changes could lead to even more debate.
T1 Cannot Afford More Poorly Timed Changes
T1 is now entering an important stage of LCK 2026. Because of that, every roster decision will receive close attention. The move to start Painter against HLE was risky. The loss made it even harder to defend.
Still, one game should not decide Painter’s future. Likewise, one benching should not erase Oner’s value to the team.
Instead, T1 needs to look at the bigger picture. The team must balance two goals. First, it needs to win now. Second, it needs to prepare for the future. That balance will not be easy.
However, it could decide how successful T1 will be in the rest of LCK 2026. For now, fans will be watching closely.
Will T1 return to Oner? Will Painter get another chance? Or will the coaching staff create a rotation between the two junglers? Whatever happens next, T1’s decision will remain one of the biggest talking points around the team.
Most importantly, T1 must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. If the team can manage the situation well, both Oner and Painter could still play important roles in its LCK 2026 campaign.
Read more:
DK Continue to Impress with 2-0 Victory Over Gen.G
NS Prevail in a Hard-Fought 2-1 Victory Over BFX
#LCK2026 #T1 #T1Oner #T1Painter
