.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting blend for the Crew U.S.A. girls, relevant where there is a situation developing that they can discuss the Olympics The majority of Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though not an unusual one, that is actually confirmed to be a large increase as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France and also participated in key jobs in Group U.S.A.'s 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and puts together a semifinal competition against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit aspects for the second straight game, shooting 60% coming from the field in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young into the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a group understood for participating in high stress full-court self defense that challenges setting against guards.It was actually a perks after Young racked up 19 points with four steals off the bench in the final swimming pool play activity against Germany. She responded with one more superb performance, playing with energy at both ends along with yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects as well as aided hold the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a lethargic beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged by merely 4 aspects midway via the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, who was actually the 12th as well as final player to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum right away transformed the game with her passing away and rate on the repulsive end, serving up three simple assists and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with just six factors but her six-minute shift to finish the first half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the cause 19 at half. The USA then began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 operate as well as the worry was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who came into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of experienced bully ball. Wilson invested twenty factors on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 internal scorers combining for 16-of-21 is actually difficult to beat.The USA got in the activity balancing 29 helps and also once more put on a ball-sharing medical clinic through assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top up to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The video game ended with a little bit of upper hand when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a technical nasty for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final few seconds.