.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author because 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has confirmed to be a devasting blend for the Group USA ladies, to the point where there is a situation developing that they can discuss the Olympics Most Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo surfacing, though not an astonishing one, that is actually verified to become a huge boost as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France as well as played essential jobs in Crew U.S.A.'s 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It denoted the staff's 59th successive Olympic victory and also sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young completed with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% from the industry in the United States' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful into the beginning sequence in place of professional Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a group known for participating in higher pressure full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was actually a perks after Young racked up 19 aspects along with 4 steals off the bench in the last pool play activity against Germany. She answered with an additional excellent functionality, playing with power at both points along with another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and also assisted hold the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a bit of a lethargic start by their standards.Nigeria was behind by only 4 points midway by means of the 2nd quarter. That's when Reeve went to Plum, that was actually the 12th and ultimate gamer to get into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly modified the activity along with her passing away and rate on the outrageous end, dishing out 3 quick assists as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with merely 6 factors but her six-minute switch to complete the initial one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the trigger 19 at one-half. The united state then began the 2nd half on a 15-0 run and the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, that came into the game balancing a matching 20.3 points every video game, played their label of proficient tormenter ball. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and also pair of blocks. Stewart possessed 13 aspects on 5-of-7 firing with 5 rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 interior scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually tough to beat.The united state got into the activity balancing 29 aids and also again put on a ball-sharing facility by setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as reduced as 13 in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The game finished with a little advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a technical foul for tossing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final secs.