.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer considering that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting combination for the Group United States women, relevant where there is actually an instance developing that they can share the Olympics Most Valuable Gamer Award.But there's a new duo arising, though certainly not a shocking one, that's proved to be a huge boost as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually boosted to be difference-makers in France and also played crucial duties in Crew United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the team's 59th consecutive Olympic success and also puts together a semifinal matchup against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit aspects for the 2nd straight activity, firing 60% coming from the field in the USA' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the beginning lineup in place of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group known for playing high stress full-court defense that challenges setting against guards.It was actually an incentive after Youthful scored 19 factors with four swipes off the bench in the ultimate pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted along with yet another superb efficiency, having fun with energy at both ends along with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and also aided bring the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans left to a little bit of a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria was behind by just 4 points midway through the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, that was the 12th and ultimate player to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum instantly altered the game with her death as well as speed on the annoying end, dispensing three simple supports as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with simply 6 points yet her six-minute change to end up the very first fifty percent resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the bring about 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. at that point began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and the stress was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 scores every game, played their brand name of seasoned oppressor sphere. Wilson placed in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 indoor markers incorporating for 16-of-21 is actually difficult to beat.The USA entered into the game balancing 29 assists and also once again applied a ball-sharing clinic by setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The video game ended with a little bit of edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a technical nasty for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate few seconds.