Kha Y Tran The KT vs DK series took place in Lower Bracket Round 2 of the LCK 2026 Playoffs on September 4. It was a must-win match for both teams. A defeat could end their hopes of reaching the 2026 League of Legends World Championship.
KT Rolster started the series in strong form. However, Dplus KIA did not fall apart after Game 1. Instead, DK improved with each game.
Smash was one of the main reasons for that change. The young ADC delivered several great performances in the bot lane.
Finally, DK completed the 3-1 comeback after four games. The win kept their playoff run alive. More importantly, it secured their ticket to Worlds 2026.
Watch the match at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Irh7yU7mgA
KT vs DK: A Battle for the Worlds 2026 Ticket
Dplus KIA entered this match under huge pressure. Earlier in the playoffs, KT Rolster had beaten DK 3-0. Therefore, DK already knew how dangerous KT could be.
DK then dropped into the lower bracket. Their next match was against BNK FEARX. Once again, DK found themselves in trouble.
They lost the first two games and fell behind 0-2. However, DK refused to give up. They won the next three games and completed a dramatic 3-2 comeback.
As a result, they earned another chance to face KT. This time, there was much more at stake. DK wanted revenge. They also needed the win to continue their road to Worlds.
Dplus KIA started with Siwoo, Lucid, ShowMaker, Smash, and Career. Meanwhile, KT fielded PerfecT, Cuzz, Bdd, Jiwoo, and Effort.
However, Game 1 could not have gone much worse for DK.
Game 1: KT Rolster Dominate the Opening Battle
KT Rolster entered Game 1 with confidence and immediately took control. From the opening minutes, they gave DK almost no room to execute their game plan.
With PerfecT on K’Sante, Cuzz playing Pantheon, and Bdd controlling Ahri, KT had several ways to create early pressure. Moreover, the Ezreal–Seraphine bot lane gave them strong poke and excellent teamfight utility.
Jiwoo was especially impressive on Ezreal. KT’s ADC finished the game with an excellent 8/1/6 KDA, dealing 32,699 damage while collecting 361 CS.
At the same time, KT controlled most of the important objectives across the map. They finished with a 10-2 advantage in turrets and also secured the only Baron of the game.
Eventually, KT closed the game after just over 31 minutes.
The 19-5 kill score clearly showed how one-sided the opening game had been.
As a result, KT moved ahead 1-0. Meanwhile, DK suddenly faced the possibility of another painful defeat against the same opponent that had previously swept them 3-0.
However, the series was only getting started.
Game 2: Smash Responds as DK Begin Their Comeback
Instead of losing confidence, Dplus KIA quickly adjusted their approach.
Game 2 became the longest and most competitive battle of the series. It lasted around 42 minutes, with both teams constantly fighting for control of key objectives.
Neither side could build a decisive advantage for much of the game. However, Smash eventually became the difference-maker.
On Lucian, Smash finished with a 7/2/5 KDA, reached 455 CS, and dealt an impressive 42,984 damage. Meanwhile, ShowMaker also played an important role on Orianna, finishing with a 3/2/9 KDA.
KT continued to apply pressure. In addition, Jiwoo remained a major damage threat with Yunara. Nevertheless, DK showed better positioning and decision-making during the crucial late-game teamfights.
Most importantly, DK stayed composed when the pressure reached its highest point.
After 42 minutes, Dplus KIA finally secured the victory with a 15-11 kill score. Consequently, the series was tied at 1-1.
More importantly, Game 2 became the turning point of the entire match.
After being crushed in the opener, DK had regained their confidence. At the same time, the pressure suddenly shifted back onto KT Rolster.
Game 3: Dplus KIA Destroy KT in Only 26 Minutes
While Game 2 demonstrated DK’s mental strength, Game 3 showed their raw power.
KT managed to find an early kill when Cuzz’s Cho’Gath caught ShowMaker’s Viktor. However, that early success did not last long.
DK immediately responded.
Career moved toward mid lane with Leona to support ShowMaker. Meanwhile, Lucid’s Trundle constantly pressured the bottom side of the map. Soon afterward, a major fight went completely in DK’s favor.
From that moment, the game became extremely one-sided.
ShowMaker controlled teamfights with Viktor. At the same time, Smash consistently found safe positions to deal damage with Jhin. In particular, his Deadly Flourish shots helped DK lock down important targets before KT could react.
Moreover, Lucid and Career gave Smash plenty of space during every major engagement.
As a result, KT struggled to find any safe way back into the game.
DK eventually destroyed the Nexus after only 26 minutes.
The final kill score was a dominant 19-4.
Therefore, after initially falling behind 0-1, Dplus KIA had completely turned the series around. They now led 2-1 and needed only one more victory to secure their Worlds dream.
Game 4: Smash and Career Close the Door on KT
Facing elimination, KT Rolster desperately needed a strong start in Game 4.
Initially, they got exactly that.
KT secured First Blood after catching Lucid’s Vi during an early jungle invade. However, that advantage was not enough to take control of the game.
Instead, DK continued to find advantages across the map. Most importantly, the Smash–Career bot lane became a problem that KT simply could not solve.
One of the biggest highlights came from the combination of Smash’s Miss Fortune and Career’s Neeko.
Career used Pop Blossom to lock down KT’s players. Immediately afterward, Smash followed with Bullet Time, pouring massive damage into the trapped KT lineup.
The combination was devastating.
Furthermore, DK repeatedly found favorable positions before major teamfights. Therefore, KT struggled to execute their own engage despite having opportunities to fight back.
As the game progressed, Dplus KIA became increasingly confident.
Finally, after around 31 minutes, DK broke through KT’s base and destroyed the Nexus.
The kill score finished at 17-10.
More importantly, the series was officially over.
Dplus KIA defeated KT Rolster 3-1.
Smash Becomes the Star of DK’s Emotional Comeback
If one player represented Dplus KIA’s comeback more than anyone else, it was undoubtedly Smash.
After a difficult opening game, the young ADC completely transformed his performance.
His Lucian in Game 2 provided the damage DK needed to level the series. Then, his Jhin became a major threat during DK’s dominant Game 3 victory. Finally, his Miss Fortune helped close the series in Game 4.
Therefore, Smash was not simply consistent. He became DK’s primary carry when the stakes were at their highest.
According to match statistics, Smash averaged 5.6 kills, 1.6 deaths, and 5.6 assists throughout the series. In addition, he recorded around a 76.8% kill participation rate.
He also averaged roughly 27,300 damage per game.
As a result of his outstanding performance, Smash was selected as the Player of the Match.
More importantly, he proved that he could carry his team during one of the most important matches of the season.
Dplus KIA Officially Return to Worlds
The 3-1 victory meant much more than simply eliminating KT Rolster from the playoffs.
Most importantly, it sent Dplus KIA back to the biggest stage in League of Legends after missing Worlds 2025.
Furthermore, Dplus KIA became the final LCK team to qualify for Worlds 2026, joining Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, and T1.
For ShowMaker, the achievement marked another important milestone in his legendary career. Meanwhile, for younger players such as Siwoo, Smash, and Career, the victory opened the door to their first appearance on the Worlds stage.
Therefore, the victory represented both experience and a new beginning for Dplus KIA.
The team had survived multiple elimination matches. Moreover, they had overcome an opponent that had previously defeated them 3-0.
Now, DK were heading back to Worlds.
KT vs DK 1-3: A Comeback Built on Mental Strength
The KT vs DK series at the LCK 2026 Playoffs perfectly demonstrated Dplus KIA’s ability to adapt under pressure.
They started the series with a brutal 19-5 defeat. However, DK refused to allow one bad game to define the entire match.
Instead, Smash became more confident with every game. ShowMaker remained reliable in the mid lane. Meanwhile, Lucid created constant map pressure, and Career repeatedly delivered important engages.
In addition, DK improved their teamfighting as the series progressed.
Consequently, three consecutive victories transformed a dangerous situation into one of Dplus KIA’s most memorable moments of the 2026 season.
From 0-1 down to a 3-1 victory, DK not only earned revenge against KT Rolster. More importantly, they claimed the biggest reward possible: a golden ticket to Worlds 2026.
After missing the tournament for one year, Dplus KIA are finally back on the international stage.
Moreover, with Smash showing impressive form and ShowMaker providing valuable experience, DK have plenty of reasons to believe in another memorable run.
The comeback against KT was emotional. The victory was decisive. Most importantly, the mission was complete.
Dplus KIA are going to Worlds 2026.
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