Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN Equalize Series with Gritty Game 2 Win

With the stakes at an absolute fever pitch, Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN refused to let EDward Gaming walk away with a commanding lead in the LPL 2026 Season Split 2 Playoffs. After a devastating loss in the opening game, the favorites entered this second match with everything on the line, needing a victory to prevent a near-impossible deficit. As predicted by the pre-match analysis, the 75% win probability for the Ninjas held true, as they delivered a grueling performance to level the series score.

Key Takeaways

• Assum delivered a massive 8/2/2 performance on Corki, providing the necessary 34.0% damage share to shred the EDCS frontline.
• Zhuo anchored the team's utility with a staggering 1/3/18 KDA on Nami, facilitating crucial engages throughout the 44-minute struggle.
• EDward Gaming failed to capitalize on their early momentum, ultimately falling behind by a massive 5.9k gold margin.

Early Game

The match began with a clash of philosophies. EDward Gaming attempted to maintain the aggressive momentum from Game 1, utilizing a Jarvan IV from Xiaohao to pressure the jungle. However, the draft-stage bans of Rumble and Karma had successfully limited the utility available to both sides. The early skirmishes were frantic, but the Ninjas' composition, centered around the scaling of Ryze and Corki, allowed them to absorb the initial pressure. While the EDG jungler managed a respectable 4/3/16 KDA, the gold gap remained narrow as the game transitioned into the mid-game.

The Turning Point

The momentum shifted violently during a mid-game team fight that would define the series. As the game approached the thirty-minute mark, the Ninjas' superior scaling began to manifest. HOYA, playing a high-impact Gnar, initiated a massive engagement that caught the EDG backline off guard. This maneuver allowed Assum to find critical kills, pushing the total kill score to a staggering 21-16 in favor of the Ninjas. This period also saw the Ninjas secure their second baron, a massive objective that effectively neutralized the defensive capabilities of the EDG frontline.

Closing Out

As the clock ticked past 44 minutes, the sheer weight of the Ninjas' gold advantage—reaching 88.9k compared to 83.0k—became insurmountable. The control of the map was absolute, with the Ninjas securing 9 towers and 4 dragons to stifle any hope of a comeback. The clinical execution of the Nami and Vi duo ensured that EDward Gaming could never find a window to engage. When the final push reached the Nexus, it was clear that the Ninjas had not just won a game, but had reclaimed their status as the team to beat in this LPL playoff bracket.

Match Stats

FAQ