.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting combo for the Crew United States females, to the point where there is a situation creating that they can discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though certainly not a shocking one, that's confirmed to be a big increase as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played key tasks in Team U.S.A.'s 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the team's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph as well as sets up a semifinal match versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit points for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% coming from the field in the USA' draw Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young right into the beginning lineup in place of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a group understood for playing higher pressure full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a perks after Youthful racked up 19 points with 4 swipes off the bench in the last pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted along with one more outstanding efficiency, enjoying with energy at both ends together with yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points as well as assisted carry the USA offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little bit of a lethargic start through their standards.Nigeria was behind by simply four points midway via the second quarter. That's when Reeve visited Plum, who was actually the 12th and final player to enter into the ready the Americans. Plum promptly changed the video game along with her passing as well as velocity on the offending point, dispensing 3 simple helps and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with simply six points yet her six-minute switch to finish the very first fifty percent resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the result in 19 at one-half. The united state at that point started the second fifty percent on a 15-0 run as well as the tension was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that came into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points per game, played their label of proficient bully sphere. Wilson placed in twenty points on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three indoor scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The USA entered the game balancing 29 assists as well as again applied a ball-sharing clinic by assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The game finished along with a little bit of upper hand when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a specialized filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final secs.