LEC Week 5 is upon us as the race for playoffs heats up. The Summer Split table is already starting to take shape, with not long left for sides to mount their playoff charge.
Check out our Power Rankings for the LEC (or LCS) if you want to get a look at our thoughts.
Week One Recaps – Day One, Two, Three
LEC Week Two Recap – Day One, Two
Week Three Recap – Day One, Two
LEC Week Four Recap – Day One, Two
SK Gaming – Team BDS
For BDS, this weekend already feels like the last chance if they even had hope for playoffs. As for SK, a good weekend here could see them mount a late challenge for a playoffs spots. SK got the start they needed, picking up a solo kill on the top side. SK continued to move ahead, picking up kills in the bot lane and mid-lane, with BDS unable to react. With 15-minutes on the clock, SK were 6k ahead. Just prior to Baron spawning, another team fight is won by SK as they moved to 8k ahead with the game firmly in their hands. Another 5v5, another win for SK as the inevitable victory was just a matter of time away. A big win for SK, one that, at the 22-minute mark, we’re so sure SK will win. We’re going to stop watching the stream and prepare for game 2.
- Teams: SK – BDS
- Time: 25:19
- Kills: 14-3
- Turrets: 10-1
- Gold: 51k – 37.2k
- Dragons: 2-2
- Barons: 1-0
Misfits Gaming v Excel
A great start for both sides thus far, and with bot sitting at 5-4, it was a big match for both sides’ playoff places. First blood secured for XL, though it was instantly traded back by MSF. With 11-minutes on the clock, it was MSF who had the slightest of leads, with the game too close to call. Despite 5-minutes of engagements, somehow the gold was still even at the 16-minute mark. With both sides showing why they’re at 5-4. XL were the site to finally break the deadlock, securing a lead into the late game, with Baron and a third Drake for XL the next objectives. A huge team fight at the Baron, it somehow goes 4-for-4, despite MSF having a man fewer than XL. A big moment for XL as they claimed a Baron, with just one member dropping as they re-secured their gold lead. While Baron wouldn’t see XL push far into the MSF base, they managed to ace MSF at the Drake pit. With MSF unable to respawn fast enough, XL pushed into the base and secured the win.
- Teams: MSF – XL
- Time: 34:23
- Kills: 10-19
- Turrets: 1-9
- Gold: 56.4k – 66.2k
- Dragons: 2-3
- Barons: 0-1
MAD Lions v Team Vitality
A battle at the top, as VIT look to continue their run on the top of the LEC. The perfect start for MAD, as they secured two early kills and a 2k lead. MAD continued to make good plays across the map, with a 3k lead secured at the 11-minute mark. Just 3-minutes later it was a 7k lead as MAD already looked to be too far ahead. VIT looked completely out of sorts, with Baron spawning on the map MAD were in full control, as they slowly bled VIT dry. MAD claimed the Baron as they moved to 14k ahead. With Baron, MAD looked unstoppable with VIT stuck inside their base. An ace followed swiftly as VIT were swept aside by MAD in dominant fashion.
- Teams: MAD – VIT
- Time: 24:37
- Kills: 19-2
- Turrets: 8-2
- Gold: 53.6k – 35.1k
- Dragons: 3-1
- Barons: 1-0
G2 Esports v Astralis
A big weekend for both sides, with teams around them picking up wins, both sides needed a win to push for their playoff spots. First blood secured for G2, as they got off to a 1k lead early in the game. By 15-minutes, G2 maintained their lead as they moved to 2.5k ahead. AST wasn’t out of the game, however, as they found a way back, winning a fight and closing the gold gap to 1k. Another huge team fight win for AST as collapsed onto G2 to take the lead in this game. A big Baron claim by G2, as they moved back into a lead by securing an inhibitor. The Drake was the next objective, with G2 able to secure it, stopping AST for claiming Soul Drake. With the next Baron up, AST moved to contest the G2 claim on it. With the fight breaking out around the AST Baron claim, G2 looked to TP into the AST base as the AST play backfired. They looked to force a Baron, but G2 played the map better and secured a huge victory.
- Teams: G2 – AST
- Time: 33:35
- Kills: 9-10
- Turrets: 5-3
- Gold: 59.1k – 53.8k
- Dragons: 1-3
- Barons: 1-0
Fnatic v Rogue
One of the most hyped matches of the week. RGE has looked like a well-oiled machine since the break, while FNC is struggling to find their footing. First blood secured for FNC, who looked to get an early lead. RGE quickly found a way back, however, securing two kills and a Drake as they began the early fightback. A slight win for FNC at the next Drake, as they secured it alongside two kills. The game calmed down prior to Baron spawning, with FNC maintaining their slim 3k lead. The Baron is secured by FNC, with RGE desperately trying to take them down as they retreat. Two members fell but the damage was done as FNC now looked to make use of the buff. FNC were unable to make anything of their Baron, with RGE able to shut down the FNC third Drake claim. With another Baron spawning, it’s another fight around this crucial buff. The fight was 1-for-1 and with both sides looking to reset, FNC quickly reset and TP’d back to Baron to rush it down. With FNC risking the 50/50, RGE were able to steal it away as FNC chased them out. It ended 2-for-2 but crucially RGE got the Baron and close the gap.
A third Drake for FNC, as both sides sit on the Soul point. With the third Baron also spawning, it could all come down to that moment. Once again it was FNC that started off the Baron but it was RGE that took the advantage. They took down Hylissang, before looking to claim Baron. Upset also dropped as both sides walk away to lick their wounds. With each side resetting, it was easily secured by RGE with FNC unable to react. Soul Drake would spawn just 3-minutes later, a fight that would likely end the game. With the Drake seconds away from spawning, RGE caught out FNC in the mid-lane, as they split their focus between the Drake and sieging the FNC base. We make it to a fourth Baron, as RGE were free to secure it with FNC’s base broken wide open. With Baron, RGE marched into the FNC base, an early 1-for-1 would turn into a win for RGE with FNC unable to throw enough bodies at the defense of their base.
- Teams: FNC – RGE
- Time: 36:06
- Kills: 9-16
- Turrets: 5-9
- Gold: 77k – 84k
- Dragons: 3-4
- Barons: 1-2
