.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has actually verified to become a devasting combination for the Crew United States girls, to the point where there is actually a situation creating that they can share the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand new duo surfacing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually proved to become a huge boost as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have actually improved to become difference-makers in France and also played essential jobs in Group United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph as well as establishes a semifinal matchup versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful finished with double-digit points for the 2nd straight game, firing 60% coming from the area in the USA' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Young in to the starting lineup in place of pro Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff known for participating in high tension full-court defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a benefit after Young scored 19 aspects along with 4 steals off the bench in the last swimming pool play activity against Germany. She responded along with another outstanding performance, having fun with power at each points alongside yet another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors as well as aided hold the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans left to a bit of a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply four factors midway via the second one-fourth. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was actually the 12th as well as last player to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum instantaneously modified the game along with her passing as well as speed on the offensive end, serving up three simple aids and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with merely 6 factors yet her six-minute shift to end up the first half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the lead to 19 at fifty percent. The U.S. then began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 operate and the stress and anxiety was actually provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that came into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand of competent oppressor sphere. Wilson placed in 20 factors on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed 13 aspects on 5-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually challenging to beat.The united state got in the activity averaging 29 helps as well as once again put on a ball-sharing facility through constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth quarter, with 19 scores. The activity finished with a little bit of advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technical nasty for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.