LCS: Breaking Down the Teams Hurt Most by the League Suspension

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 2: — during 2020 LCS Spring Split at the LCS Arena on February 2, 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.. (Photo by Tina Jo/Riot Games) /

With the LCS suspending play temporarily due to the Coronavirus, we look at how much this delay hurt each team.

Riot took drastic steps in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic (more commonly referred to as the Coronavirus) by suspending league play. This is due to growing restrictions by state and federal governments regarding large gatherings of people in public places, and this also necessitated Riot moving the LCS Spring Finals to the LCS Studios in Los Angeles.

We don’t know how long this delay will last, whether Riot will move quickly to purely online games (like the LPL has done), and what the process will be going forward. However, this delay, however brief, can hurt a lot of the LCS teams by removing their ability to gather and discuss film freely, losing valuable scrim blocks, and simply losing momentum. We will examine which teams are hurt the most (and least) by this delay, assuming that the LCS does come back to finish out the Spring Split (for purposes of this article, we’ll say the delay lasts for another two weeks).

Cloud9

Hurt: Not too bad.

Cloud9 definitely does not like losing momentum given how hot they’ve been all split long, but honestly, this delay doesn’t come at an awful time for them. After just suffering their first defeat at the hands of TSM, C9 definitely needed to regroup and focus on the errors that cost them in that game. It’s unlikely the players will be dwelling on this loss for however long they’re on break, but I’m sure they’d all like to get back into the scrims and work out their issues.

FlyQuest

Hurt: Not hurt, but not helped.

FlyQuest is a team that does well when their players are firing on all cylinders and working together well. That synergy was a bit off in Week 7, when they went 0-2. At the very worst, this prevents FlyQuest from rebuilding, but I think it’s more likely that the break lets some of the underperforming players calm down.

TSM

Hurt: Pretty bad.

For a team that’s as streaky as TSM, you definitely don’t want to lose any momentum during the season when things are going good. After a 2-0 week against C9 and FlyQuest, TSM definitely wanted to keep the good vibes rolling into another week of practice and games. This break kills that momentum and I could definitely see them coming back sluggish when games resume.

100 Thieves

Hurt: Bad, but not too bad.

Similar to TSM in terms of not wanting to lose their momentum, but unlike TSM 100 Thieves actually could use the extra time to help prepare. With games next week against C9 and FlyQuest and them being in the middle of the dogfight for the last playoff spots, I’d guess that 100 Thieves wouldn’t mind having extra time to prep.

Evil Geniuses

Hurt: Substantial.

Another team that just went 2-0 and will have a fairly rough schedule in Week 8 (Liquid and Dignitas), but I think EG are closer to TSM than 100 Thieves. Like TSM, they seem to be a very momentum-based team and they’re playing against two teams that I think they might under-estimate and under-prepare for. With issues of synergy already coming up for this team, I think a break is the last thing they want.

Immortals

Hurt: Maybe helps?

Immortals are one of the smartest, most veteran teams in the LCS. They win more through good planning and shot-calling than pure skill or synergy, so having extra time to plan for their next opponents only helps them. Plus, all of these players seem very low-key so I think they’re more likely spending this time grinding rather than relaxing.

Golden Guardians

Hurt: Probably helps.

Golden Guardians just made a big swap in the support role, bringing in huhi in place of Keith. Having extra time for huhi and FBI to gel and build their synergy is a no-brainer and godsend for a team with a fairly tough schedule (TSM and TL) next time they play.

Team Liquid

Hurt: Definitely helps.

They’re the anti-TSM and EG, with momentum firmly against them after a disaster 0-2 week against CLG and Immortals. TL desperately needs this time to refocus (hopefully now with a more dedicated Doublelift), tinker with their formula, and get their act together. With such little time left in the season, this break could be a godsend for them.

Dignitas

Hurt: Probably helps too.

Dignitas is still technically in the playoff hunt and with two very winnable games next week (CLG and EG), they need all the time they can to get themselves out of this rut they’ve fallen into and get Akaadian acclimated to the team. New member, a slumping team, needing wins going into playoffs, and a schedule they can win? This team needed to get this time.

Next. LCS 2020 Preseason Player Ranking. dark

CLG

Hurt: Delays the inevitable.

While CLG is also still technically not out of the playoffs, they still have yet to play C9 so…yeah they’re done. These extra two weeks are for the players and coaches to re-evaluate how to fix this team in Summer Split. But mostly it just prolongs the CLG fans’ pain.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.

Home/LCS