.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting combo for the Staff U.S.A. girls, to the point where there is actually a scenario building that they could possibly share the Olympics Most Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though not an unexpected one, that's shown to be a huge increase as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in key duties in Staff United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the team's 59th successive Olympic success as well as sets up a semifinal matchup versus Australia, victors over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit points for the 2nd straight game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the USA' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the starting lineup instead of expert Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew understood for participating in high pressure full-court protection that tests opposing guards.It was a benefit after Youthful racked up 19 factors along with 4 takes off the seat in the ultimate pool play activity against Germany. She reacted along with one more exceptional efficiency, playing with electricity at both points along with an additional Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and also helped hold the USA outburst early in the game as the Americans left to a bit of a slow beginning through their standards.Nigeria was behind by simply 4 factors midway with the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was the 12th as well as final player to get in the ready the Americans. Plum immediately altered the game with her death as well as velocity on the offensive end, giving out three fast assists and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only six aspects but her six-minute shift to finish the very first fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the cause 19 at half. The USA then started the second fifty percent on a 15-0 operate and also the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their label of skillful oppressor sphere. Wilson put in twenty aspects on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and also pair of blocks. Stewart had thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The USA entered into the activity averaging 29 aids and again applied a ball-sharing facility by assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th quarter, with 19 scores. The game finished along with a little upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a technical filthy for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last few seconds.