KT Rolster's playoff path got a lot harder after T1 came back to win their series 2-1. KT looked good enough to take the opener, but T1 answered in the next two games and left KT heading into Play-In Round 1.
KT's next challenge is the Rise Group leader, and there is little room for another loss. After five defeats in a row, they need to turn things around when the Play-In begins.
KT Rolster go from playoff hopes to a fight for survival
KT Rolster came into the final stretch of the regular season with a chance to avoid the play-in route. That opportunity disappeared with the loss to T1.
KT won the opening game of the series and looked capable of securing the result they needed. BDD's Ryze became a major threat as KT took control of important fights and objectives, eventually securing the Dragon Soul and closing out the game.
T1 bounced back in Game 2 to level the series. In the deciding game, they slowly built an advantage and made it difficult for KT to find a way back into the game, with Peyz's Caitlyn becoming a major problem for them.
KT ultimately could not recover. T1 closed out the deciding game and secured the 2-1 series victory, sending KT into Play-In Round 1.
KT now have to fight their way into the playoffs
The important distinction is that KT have not been eliminated from the LCK playoffs. They have simply lost the more favorable route.
KT finished fifth in the Legend Group, so they will have to start their playoff push in Play-In Round 1. They will face whoever finishes first in the Rise Group.
That opponent is still undecided. BNK FEARX defeated HANJIN BRION 2-1, preventing BRION from securing first place in the Rise Group. The remaining regular-season results will determine which team finishes at the top and earns the matchup with KT.
| KT Rolster situation | Status |
|---|---|
| Result against T1 | Lost 1-2 |
| Legend Group position | 5th |
| Current losing streak | 5 matches |
| Playoff route | Play-In Round 1 |
| Next opponent | Rise Group first place |
| Play-in date | August 26 |
They now have to win their next series to keep their playoff run going.
Game 1 showed KT can still challenge T1
Game 1 was a positive for KT despite how the series ended. They showed they can take control against T1, giving them something to build on heading into the Play-In.
BDD was one of the biggest reasons KT were able to take control. His Ryze became extremely difficult for T1 to deal with, and KT repeatedly found ways to punish T1 around objectives.
KT also showed patience when playing around their strongest members. Once BDD became powerful enough to dominate fights, T1 struggled to find an answer and KT were able to close the game.
The problem was maintaining that level. T1 changed the momentum of the series in Game 2, and KT were unable to recover in the deciding game.
Watch the highlights from all three games as KT Rolster and T1 battled for a crucial LCK result.
KT's Game 1 victory showed that they could challenge T1, but the final two games ultimately sent them into the Play-In.
The five-match losing streak is a major concern
KT's biggest problem heading into the play-ins is not just their position in the standings. It is their current form.
KT's defeat to T1 stretched their losing streak to five matches. They now have to put that run behind them quickly, with a Rise Group opponent standing between them and the playoffs.
A losing streak does not erase what KT are capable of. Their Game 1 performance against T1 proved that. But KT need to find a way to reproduce that level of play for an entire series rather than showing it for only one game.
The play-in stage will punish inconsistency. KT cannot afford to build an advantage and then allow their opponent to completely change the direction of the series.
Dplus KIA benefit from KT's defeat
KT's loss also had an immediate effect on the rest of the Legend Group. T1's victory guaranteed Dplus KIA a top-four finish and secured their place in the LCK playoffs.
Dplus KIA will therefore enter the playoffs directly, while KT must take the longer route through the play-in stage.
For KT, that makes the difference between fourth and fifth place particularly significant. Instead of preparing for the playoffs, they now have another series to win before they can even enter the main playoff bracket.
T1 still have their own seeding battle
T1 still have their own seeding to sort out. Their final regular-season match against Hanwha Life Esports will decide where they finish, with the loser dropping to third place and starting the playoffs in Round 1.
KT have little time to reset
KT's Play-In match is scheduled for August 26, with the Rise Group's first-place team waiting for them. That gives KT a short window to reset and prepare after their recent run of losses.
The priority will be consistency. KT have already shown that they can take a game from T1 and create a winning position against one of the league's strongest teams. Now they need to turn that ability into a complete series win.
If they cannot, their LCK playoff campaign will end before they reach the main bracket.
Frequently asked questions about KT Rolster
Why are KT Rolster in the LCK Play-In?
KT finished fifth in the Legend Group after losing 2-1 to T1. That position sends them into Play-In Round 1 rather than directly into the playoffs.
Who will KT Rolster face?
KT will face the first-place team from the Rise Group. That opponent has not yet been decided.
When does KT Rolster play in the LCK Play-In?
KT are scheduled to play their Play-In Round 1 match on August 26.
Did KT Rolster get eliminated by T1?
No. KT are still alive in the LCK postseason. They must win through the play-in stage to reach the playoffs.
How many matches have KT Rolster lost in a row?
KT's defeat to T1 extended their losing streak to five matches.
What happened to Dplus KIA after T1 beat KT?
T1's victory guaranteed Dplus KIA a top-four finish in the Legend Group and secured their place in the LCK playoffs.
KT Rolster now have to earn their way back
The loss to T1 has made KT's road to the playoffs much more difficult, but it has not ended their season. They now need to win in Play-In Round 1 against the eventual Rise Group leader.
KT come into that match after five consecutive losses, so there is plenty to fix. Still, they showed during the T1 series that they can put together a strong performance. They will need to do it again when the Play-In begins.
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