.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 two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to become a devasting blend for the Team USA girls, relevant where there is a scenario developing that they could possibly share the Olympics The majority of Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand new duo developing, though not a surprising one, that is actually proved to be a large increase as the Americans pursue yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have improved to become difference-makers in France and also participated in key functions in Team USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the group's 59th successive Olympic success as well as puts together a semifinal match versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit aspects for the 2nd upright video game, shooting 60% from the area in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful in to the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team known for playing higher tension full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was actually a perks after Youthful scored 19 points along with four takes off the seat in the final pool play activity versus Germany. She reacted along with an additional exceptional performance, playing with power at both points along with yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points and also assisted hold the USA outburst early in the game as the Americans left to a little a lethargic begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through simply four aspects midway via the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve visited Plum, who was the 12th and also last player to go into the ready the Americans. Plum right away transformed the video game with her passing away and speed on the repulsive point, dispensing three quick aids and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with simply six aspects yet her six-minute shift to end up the 1st one-half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the result in 19 at fifty percent. The united state at that point began the second one-half on a 15-0 operate as well as the worry was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points every video game, played their brand of professional tormenter ball. Wilson put in 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and also 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 interior markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The USA got in the activity averaging 29 assists and once again put on a ball-sharing clinic through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead to as low as 13 in the 4th quarter, with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little bit of edge when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper obtained a specialized nasty for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last seconds.