.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer due to the fact that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has proven to become a devasting blend for the Group United States girls, to the point where there is a scenario cultivating that they could discuss the Olympics The majority of Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo arising, though certainly not an unusual one, that's verified to become a huge increase as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have actually boosted to become difference-makers in France and played vital parts in Team U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic success and puts together a semifinal match against Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit points for the 2nd upright game, shooting 60% from the area in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting lineup in place of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew recognized for participating in high tension full-court defense that challenges setting against guards.It was an incentive after Youthful racked up 19 points with 4 swipes off the bench in the final swimming pool play game versus Germany. She reacted along with an additional excellent efficiency, enjoying with power at each points along with yet another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points and also helped carry the USA offense early in the game as the Americans got off to a little a sluggish begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply four factors midway via the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as ultimate gamer to get in the ready the Americans. Plum quickly altered the activity along with her passing as well as rate on the offending point, dishing out 3 simple assists as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with just six aspects yet her six-minute shift to end up the first half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the bring about 19 at fifty percent. The united state then began the second fifty percent on a 15-0 run and also the tension was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that entered the activity averaging a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of proficient tormenter ball. Wilson put in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three interior scorers blending for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The united state got in the activity averaging 29 assists and also once more applied a ball-sharing medical clinic through assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The activity ended along with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper obtained a technological repulsive for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate seconds.