The LCK: T1 and Gen.G Dominating the League
The LCK is becoming a two-team race in Spring as T1 and Gen.G establish themselves as the top League of Legends teams in Korea. With only three weeks left before the playoffs, KT Rolster is the only team among the bottom eight to defeat T1 or Gen.G. The league is top-heavy, with teams like Kwangdong Freecs, sitting at a 5-7 record, being in the top five playoff seed. This is unlike any other major league where teams with negative records are not among the top five teams.
But despite the lack of depth in the LCK compared to other leagues, there is still intrigue and competition among the top contenders. Each team has six matches left in the season, and there is a close race in the bottom half of the league, with just one match separating last place from a potential playoff berth. Upsets and spoiler games are highly possible. Here are the current power rankings in the LCK after six weeks of play in the 2022 Spring Split.
| Rank | Team | Rank change |
| 1) | T1 | — |
| 2) | Gen.G | — |
| 3) | DWG KIA | — |
| 4) | DRX | — |
| 5) | Kwangdong Freecs | +1 |
| 6) | Fredit BRION | +2 |
| 7) | KT Rolster | -2 |
| 8) | Nongshim RedForce | -1 |
| 9) | Liiv SANDBOX | +1 |
| 10) | Hanwha Life Esports | -1 |
Teams on the Edge: Nongshim RedForce, Liiv SANDBOX, Hanwha Life Esports
Although these three teams are ranked at the bottom, they still have a chance to feel the effects of the top teams securing their playoff spots. As more top teams like T1 secure their spots, the teams at the bottom will eventually get shut out. Nongshim ended their losing streak by defeating Liiv SANDBOX, bringing both teams to a 4-8 record. Despite the unsightly records, one more victory could potentially place them in a tie for fifth. None of these teams are eliminated as the difference between a playoff team and a non-qualifier is not significant in the LCK.
In the Playoff Picture: Kwangdong Freecs, Fredit BRION, KT Rolster
A team with a 5-7 record like Kwangdong Freecs is currently sitting in fifth place, just three weeks before the playoffs. However, they would need to perform excellently in order to move up in the standings. The same can be said for the other teams in this section. The Freecs have the best chance to move up as they have upcoming matches against strong teams like Gen.G, T1, and DRX. The playoff scenarios and brackets are yet to be finalized, but these teams are in a better spot after week six compared to those mentioned in the previous section. The top four teams in the LCK have proven to be dominant and would likely eliminate the rest of the competition with ease in the playoffs.
Steadily Paced: DWG KIA, DRX
DRX and DWG KIA have created a gap between themselves and the rest of the league, making third and fourth place finishes likely. While they haven’t posed a significant threat to Gen.G or T1, they still hold steady. Both teams have struggled to win against Gen.G and T1, but they should at least challenge the top two teams in Korea.
Too Far Ahead: T1, Gen.G
T1 and Gen.G are setting the pace in the LCK, separating themselves from the other teams. With T1 already securing a playoff spot and Gen.G likely to follow, they are projected to take the first and second seeds in the playoffs. Gen.G is currently three matches ahead of the next-best team, and T1 has a two-match lead over Gen.G. The gap between the top two teams and the rest of the league is significant. With only six series left to play, it won’t take long for T1 and Gen.G to solidify their positions at the top of the league if they continue their strong performance.