.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of pair of booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually verified to become a devasting combination for the Group USA girls, to the point where there is actually a case creating that they could share the Olympics Many Valuable Gamer Award.But there's a brand-new duo arising, though not an astonishing one, that's verified to become a large increase as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France and participated in key functions in Team U.S.A.'s 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the team's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and also establishes a semifinal matchup versus Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful finished with double-digit aspects for the second straight activity, firing 60% from the area in the USA' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young into the beginning lineup instead of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew recognized for participating in higher stress full-court protection that challenges opposing guards.It was a benefit after Young scored 19 aspects with 4 swipes off the bench in the ultimate pool play game against Germany. She answered with one more great performance, playing with energy at each ends together with yet another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors as well as assisted hold the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a bit of a lethargic beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged through just 4 points midway through the second one-fourth. That's when Reeve visited Plum, who was the 12th and also final player to get into the game for the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the game with her death and also speed on the offensive point, dispensing 3 fast aids as well as nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with simply 6 aspects yet her six-minute change to finish the 1st fifty percent caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the cause 19 at half. The U.S. then began the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate as well as the worry was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that entered into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per game, played their label of professional tormenter round. Wilson put in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen factors on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three interior scorers mixing for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The USA entered the game averaging 29 supports as well as again put on a ball-sharing facility by setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead down to as low as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The video game ended along with a little edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper received a technical filthy for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.