.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting combination for the Group U.S.A. girls, to the point where there is actually a scenario developing that they could possibly share the Olympics A lot of Valuable Gamer Award.But there's a brand new duo emerging, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually verified to become a significant boost as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France as well as played key jobs in Group United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit factors for the 2nd upright video game, firing 60% from the field in the USA' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young into the beginning lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group recognized for participating in higher tension full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was a benefit after Youthful scored 19 aspects along with four takes off the bench in the last pool play game versus Germany. She responded along with one more outstanding efficiency, having fun with energy at each ends together with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects as well as aided lug the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans got off to a bit of a slow-moving start by their standards.Nigeria lagged through just four points midway with the second one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, that was the 12th and also ultimate player to go into the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously transformed the activity with her death as well as speed on the outrageous point, dishing out three simple helps and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with only six factors yet her six-minute shift to end up the 1st one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the cause 19 at one-half. The U.S. after that started the 2nd half on a 15-0 operate and the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points every video game, played their company of skillful tormenter ball. Wilson invested 20 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen factors on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three internal scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The U.S. went into the activity averaging 29 supports and again placed on a ball-sharing center by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead to as reduced as 13 in the 4th quarter, along with 19 points. The video game ended with a little bit of edge when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper acquired a technical filthy for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final few seconds.