[LCK Today] 'The West' still standing strong: DWG and AF takes out their opponents with some newer picks

On the 15th (KST), day 40 of the 2020 LCK Summer split came to a conclusion. DAMWON Gaming and Afreeca Freecs were able to take down Team Dynamics and SANDBOX Gaming respectively. DWG was able to take the series 2:0, with both sets ending under 30 minutes, showing why they’re currently the first place team in the LCK. For AF, while there were moments where things looked pretty grim for them, they took the series against SB 2:1 and defended their place in the standings.

In the first match between DWG and DYN, DWG dominated the series through their top-jungle side of the map. In game 1, the jungler for DWG, Canyon, was able to get a great lead on the enemy jungler, Beyond. With Nuguri’s Renekton also powerhousing in both the laning phase and in teamfights, he proved that he was the better top laner over his lane opponent, Rich in the match. The snowball that DWG grew from their top side of the map naturally moved downwards, leading to continuous teamfight victories.

DWG’s momentum in top-jungle continued on in game 2. Nuguri and Canyon, on Renekton and Nidalee, were able to set behind Rich by giving him three deaths right from the get-go. With three kills each in both Nuguri and Canyon’s pockets before 10 minutes, all the fights that they participated from that point on ended in favor for DWG. While DYN’s bot lane was able to inch ahead in the 2 vs 2 match up, their plans fell when Nuguri and Canyon made their way down the map. Not letting down the pace, DWG was able to take down DYN’s nexus in under 30 minutes. Both Canyon and Nuguri received POG for their performance in game 1 and 2 respectively.

The jungler for AF, Spirit, was able to lead his team to victory over SB. His Trundle in game 1 was able to gain a lot of presence in the early game. From ganks, counter-jungling, to grouping with his team for teamfights, he put on a textbook performance in game 1. With the Rift Herald and Baron Nashor all taken by AF, they were able to take game 1 against SB.

In order for more priority in the top lane, Quinn was picked by AF’s top laner, Kiin, in game 2. This led to SB putting most of their focus in the top lane right from the early game, where SB successfully managed to stifle Kiin’s Quinn and get Summit’s Jayce ahead. This led to SB being a lot stronger in head-to-head teamfights, thus leading to Baron and Elder dragon soul for SB, tying up the series 1:1.

In the last game of the series, Spirit pulled out one of the newest champions in League of Legends, Lillia, in the jungle. Despite OnFleek getting an early kill on Lillia, Spirit was able to quickly scale with fast jungle clears and witty jungle pathing. This led to Spirit dealing the highest damage in teamfights and even a triple kill for his team. With Mystic’s Caitlyn cleaning up, AF was able to get the 2:1 victory over SB.

2020 LCK Summer Split August 15th Results

Team Dynamics 0 : 2 DAMWON Gaming

Afreeca Freecs 2 : 1 SANDBOX Gaming

2020 LCK Summer split standings

1st DAMWON Gaming 14-2 (+25)

2nd DRX 14-2 (+19)

3rd Gen.G 12-4 (+15)

3rd T1 12-4 (+15)

5th Afreeca Freecs 9-7 (+2)

6th kt Rolster 7-9 (-4)

7th SANDBOX Gaming 6-11 (-10)

8th Team Dynamics 4-12 (-13)