.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer given that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has verified to become a devasting mixture for the Crew U.S.A. ladies, relevant where there is a case establishing that they could possibly discuss the Olympics A lot of Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand new duo arising, though not a shocking one, that is actually verified to be a huge improvement as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in essential roles in Team U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the team's 59th successive Olympic victory and puts together a semifinal matchup versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit aspects for the second straight activity, shooting 60% from the industry in the United States' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young right into the beginning lineup in place of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff known for participating in high tension full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was an incentive after Young racked up 19 points along with 4 takes off the seat in the final swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She responded along with another exceptional efficiency, playing with power at both points along with an additional Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and aided lug the USA offense early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little bit of a sluggish beginning by their standards.Nigeria was behind through merely 4 aspects midway by means of the second quarter. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was the 12th and ultimate gamer to enter the game for the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the video game with her passing and also speed on the outrageous point, serving up three easy assists and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with only six factors however her six-minute change to complete the initial half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at half. The U.S. then began the second fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the tension was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered the activity balancing a matching 20.3 scores every game, played their brand of professional bully ball. Wilson put in 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds and also pair of blocks. Stewart had 13 points on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those three interior scorers mixing for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The united state entered into the activity averaging 29 aids and also once again put on a ball-sharing facility through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top up to as low as thirteen in the fourth quarter, with 19 points. The activity finished with a little bit of edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a specialized nasty for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate seconds.