.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer given that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually verified to become a devasting mix for the Staff United States girls, relevant where there is actually an instance creating that they can discuss the Olympics The majority of Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand new duo emerging, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually confirmed to be a large improvement as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France as well as played vital parts in Crew United States's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the group's 59th successive Olympic victory as well as establishes a semifinal matchup 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% from the industry in the United States' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful into the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a team recognized for participating in higher stress full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a reward after Young scored 19 aspects along with 4 steals off the seat in the final swimming pool play game versus Germany. She answered with an additional exceptional performance, playing with power at each points together with yet another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects and assisted carry the USA offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a bit of a sluggish begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind through only 4 aspects midway via the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was the 12th and final player to go into the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously altered the activity along with her passing as well as speed on the outrageous end, dishing out 3 fast helps and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with merely 6 factors but her six-minute shift to end up the initial fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the cause 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. at that point began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 operate and the anxiety was provided 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 company of proficient bully round. Wilson placed in twenty points on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed 13 aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The U.S. got into the game averaging 29 assists as well as once more put on a ball-sharing clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, along with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper acquired a technical foul for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate secs.