.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually shown to become a devasting mixture for the Crew United States women, relevant where there is actually a case establishing that they can discuss the Olympics Most Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there's a brand new duo emerging, though not a shocking one, that is actually shown to be a large boost as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have actually improved to be difference-makers in France and also participated in essential functions in Staff USA's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the team's 59th successive Olympic triumph and puts together a semifinal competition versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% from the area in the United States' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting sequence instead of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew recognized for playing high pressure full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was a benefit after Youthful scored 19 aspects along with four takes off the bench in the final swimming pool play video game versus Germany. She responded with one more great efficiency, playing with energy at both points alongside another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors as well as aided carry the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a bit of a slow begin through their standards.Nigeria was behind by merely 4 aspects midway with the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, who was actually the 12th and final gamer to enter the game for the Americans. Plum immediately changed the video game with her passing away and also rate on the annoying point, giving out three simple supports as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with merely six factors but her six-minute change to complete the very first half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at one-half. The USA after that began the second half on a 15-0 run and also the stress was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their label of proficient oppressor sphere. Wilson placed in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart had 13 aspects on 5-of-7 firing along with five rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 internal markers combining for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The united state entered into the video game averaging 29 supports and also once more applied a ball-sharing medical clinic through assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top up to as low as 13 in the fourth quarter, with 19 points. The game ended with a little bit of edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technological repulsive for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final secs.