HLE enters a state of alarm after a losing streak, echoing the issues that once haunted Gen.G

HLE is experiencing a period of great instability after suffering another loss to Gen.G. Even more worrying, the issues the reigning MSI 2026 champions are encountering are quite similar to those that once led to Gen.G's decline.

HLE loses from draft to execution

The clash between Gen.G and HLE was tightly contested, but the technical quality of both teams did not reach its best. While Gen.G somewhat rediscovered their familiar form, HLE repeatedly exposed alarming mistakes.

Except for the second game, which was relatively convincing, HLE appeared disjointed for most of the rest of the match. The players took turns making errors, while the draft phase in the decisive game continued to spark debate.

This is not the first time HLE has faced this issue. In recent matches, the orange-clad team often allowed their opponents to secure favorable compositions, and then lacked an effective way to counter them.

The only rare positive is that HLE no longer gives up easily when trailing. They still create moments where they could turn the game around, but their decision-making in the crucial stages is not good enough to convert advantages into victories.

The losing streak pushes HLE into a state of alarm

The defeat to Gen.G marks HLE's third consecutive loss in the 2026 LCK and their fourth straight loss across all competitions. This is a worrying figure for a team that had just reached the pinnacle at MSI 2026.

Since returning from MSI, HLE seems unable to maintain the form that helped them win the championship. The loss at EWC 2026 may be partly attributed to a packed travel schedule, but the poor results in the LCK and KeSPA Cup suggest the problem goes far beyond physical fatigue.

What is most concerning is that HLE is replicating the very signs that once appeared in Gen.G: ineffective drafting, disjointed play, and unstable late-game execution.

HLE still has a chance to decide their own fate in the race for the 2026 World Championship, but time is running out. If they do not quickly improve their execution, the reigning MSI champions could easily put themselves in a difficult position during the most critical phase of the season.