.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer due to the fact that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting blend for the Team United States ladies, relevant where there is actually a case establishing that they can discuss the Olympics Most Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo developing, though not an unusual one, that is actually proved to be a major improvement as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually boosted to be difference-makers in France and also participated in essential functions in Staff USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the crew's 59th successive Olympic success as well as sets up a semifinal match against Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit aspects for the second upright video game, shooting 60% coming from the industry in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful into the beginning lineup instead of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff known for playing high stress full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was a reward after Young scored 19 points along with four swipes off the seat in the last pool play game versus Germany. She reacted along with another exceptional efficiency, enjoying with electricity at both points along with one more Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors as well as helped carry the U.S. outburst early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little bit of a slow begin by their standards.Nigeria was behind through just four aspects midway via the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, who was the 12th and ultimate gamer to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum immediately modified the video game along with her passing away and also rate on the offending end, dishing out three easy helps and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with just six aspects but her six-minute switch to end up the first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the cause 19 at one-half. The USA at that point started the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the stress was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that entered the video game averaging a matching 20.3 points per video game, played their brand name of seasoned bully sphere. Wilson invested 20 aspects on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three indoor markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. entered into the video game balancing 29 assists as well as once again applied a ball-sharing facility through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The game ended with a little bit of edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technical foul for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last few seconds.