.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting mix for the Crew United States women, relevant where there is actually a situation cultivating that they could share the Olympics A lot of Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo surfacing, though certainly not a shocking one, that's confirmed to become a large increase as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Las vega Aces colleagues Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also played vital tasks in Team USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the crew's 59th successive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit factors for the second straight activity, firing 60% coming from the field in the United States' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the starting sequence in place of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff known for playing high pressure full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was a reward after Young racked up 19 points with 4 takes off the bench in the last swimming pool play game versus Germany. She responded with one more superb efficiency, having fun with energy at each points alongside one more Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and aided carry the USA outburst early in the video game as the Americans left to a bit of a sluggish beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged through just four points midway by means of the second fourth. That's when Reeve went to Plum, that was actually the 12th and ultimate player to enter the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously transformed the video game with her death as well as rate on the annoying end, dispensing three fast helps and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with just six factors yet her six-minute change to end up the 1st one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the lead to 19 at one-half. The USA after that began the 2nd half on a 15-0 operate as well as the tension was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered the game balancing a matching 20.3 points every activity, played their brand name of professional oppressor ball. Wilson invested 20 aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 interior markers combining for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The USA went into the activity averaging 29 helps and also once more placed on a ball-sharing clinic by constructing 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as low as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The video game ended along with a little bit of edge when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a technological filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the last few seconds.