.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author due to the fact that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting mix for the Crew USA ladies, to the point where there is actually a scenario developing that they can discuss the Olympics A lot of Valuable Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo developing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually confirmed to become a major increase as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have actually improved to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in key duties in Team United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the group's 59th consecutive Olympic success as well as establishes a semifinal match versus Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit aspects for the second upright activity, shooting 60% from the field in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the beginning sequence instead of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew known for participating in high stress full-court protection that tests opposing guards.It was a benefit after Youthful scored 19 points along with four swipes off the bench in the last pool play video game against Germany. She responded along with another great functionality, having fun with energy at each ends together with another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and helped carry the U.S. offense early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little a slow-moving start through their standards.Nigeria lagged by just 4 points midway through the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was the 12th and last gamer to go into the game for the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the video game along with her passing away as well as rate on the offensive point, dishing out 3 fast aids and toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with just 6 aspects yet her six-minute switch to end up the first fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the lead to 19 at one-half. The USA after that started the second half on a 15-0 operate and also the anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered the game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per video game, played their company of seasoned oppressor ball. Wilson invested 20 factors on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 capturing with five rebounds and 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three interior scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The U.S. entered the game balancing 29 aids and once again placed on a ball-sharing clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th quarter, along with 19 scores. The activity finished along with a little bit of edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a technological filthy for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate few seconds.