The Final Four: LCS 2023 Spring playoffs preview

It's the final weekend before three LCS teams head to Raleigh, North Carolina. Here is what you need to know.

The LCS 2023 Spring Split’s very own March Madness is starting to come to an end. However, that does not mean that the excitement wanes by any means as the Final Four LCS teams all are eyeing that opportunity to lift the LCS 2023 Spring Split trophy in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Here are the final two LCS playoff series that will take place before the battle in Raleigh, North Carolina, takes place.

Here are the final four teams left competing for the title of LCS 2023 Spring Split champions, as well as one of two spots at the Midseason invitational in London.

C9 vs. FLY: The battle between frontrunners

Cloud9 jungler Blaber during a 3-1 victory over CLG.

Photo by Colin Young-Wolff via Riot Games

Realistically, this is the match that many people are looking at as a preview of the LCS 2023 Spring Split Grand Final in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both Cloud9 and FlyQuest were consistently first and second throughout the LCS 2023 Spring Split regular season. For the majority of the regular season, it was FlyQuest that held the edge over Cloud9. However, a midseason swap to bring in Jang “EMENES” Min-soo from Cloud9 Challengers to the LCS team has completely transformed the team into LCS frontrunners. Cloud9’s dominant form has extended into the playoffs. They enter this rematch against FlyQuest following a 3-1 victory over CLG in Upper Bracket. Yet, their biggest challenge still awaits as FlyQuest looks to be their biggest hurdle towards another split title to their illustrious trophy case.

FlyQuest enters their series against Cloud9 following a 3-0 sweep over 100 Thieves in the Upper Bracket. Looking to win their first LCS split title in the organization’s history, FlyQuest is hoping that this Spring could finally be their opportunity to hoist an LCS split trophy.

While both teams are guaranteed to appear in Raleigh next weekend, a win here is very important. Whoever wins this upcoming battle guarantees their spot at the Midseason Invitational against some of the top international teams. Additionally, it’s another opportunity for viewers to watch one of the most celebrated botlane matchups between FlyQuest’s Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan and Kim “Berserker” Min-cheol, the frontrunners to win LCS MVP this split. That alone is a reason to tune into this series.

One last ticket to Raleigh: Are we Living Evil or in the Golden Age

Evil Geniuses during LCS 2023 Spring Split.

Only one spot is left vacant for LCS Finals Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina, as Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians will be eyeing that final ticket to play in PNC Stadium. For both teams, their paths to this point were quite rocky as both experienced a drop in play at the end of the regular season.

Evil Geniuses dealt with a number of sickness issues that saw the team drop from third place all the way to fifth going into playoffs. Golden Guardians, meanwhile, have been the biggest surprise in the LCS 2023 Spring Split by a wide margin as they held fourth place solidly for the majority of the split. However, the events following their seven-game win streak were quite a series of unfortunate events. Golden Guardians went 2-5 in their final seven games as they dropped all the way from fourth place to sixth place.

Yet, despite these unfortunate events, both Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians enter their upcoming series against each other in top form. Evil Geniuses are coming off a strong 3-0 sweep over CLG in the first round of the Lower Bracket playoffs. Additionally, Golden Guardians are off the back of an incredible 3-2 upset over 100 Thieves.

With a ticket to Raleigh, North Carolina, on the line, the LCS fifth and sixth seeds have an opportunity to wipe their regular season failures away completely. A win here means an opportunity to play in front of 18,000 fans for the LCS title. However, a loss entitles a heartbreaking end to a promising run.

Regardless, tomorrow’s series between both teams will be quite the sight to see as neither team wants to fall short of Finals Weekend.

Where to watch the LCS 2023 Spring Split

Viewers will be able to tune into the LCS 2023 Spring Split playoffs through the LCS Twitch and YouTube channels. Cloud9’s battle with FlyQuest will take place on Thursday at 2 pm PT. That will be followed by Evil Geniuses' battle with Golden Guardians on Friday at the same time.