.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer because 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of 2 booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting mix for the Staff United States women, relevant where there is a scenario cultivating that they can discuss the Olympics Most Belongings Gamer Award.But there's a brand new duo developing, though not an unusual one, that is actually verified to be a major increase as the Americans work toward an additional gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Young have actually boosted to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in vital functions in Team United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the staff's 59th successive Olympic success and also puts together a semifinal match against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight video game, firing 60% from the industry in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful into the starting sequence in place of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a staff known for playing higher stress full-court self defense that challenges setting against guards.It was a perks after Young scored 19 aspects with 4 takes off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play video game versus Germany. She answered along with another superb efficiency, playing with power at each ends along with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points and also helped lug the U.S. outburst early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little bit of a lethargic begin through their standards.Nigeria lagged through only 4 factors midway with the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, who was actually the 12th as well as ultimate player to enter the ready the Americans. Plum instantaneously modified the activity along with her passing as well as speed on the repulsive point, giving out 3 fast assists and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with merely six points however her six-minute shift to end up the first fifty percent caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the result in 19 at half. The U.S. at that point began the 2nd fifty percent on a 15-0 operate as well as the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that came into the game averaging a matching 20.3 points every game, played their label of competent oppressor ball. Wilson invested 20 aspects on 9-of-11 capturing with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to score 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Those 3 indoor scorers integrating for 16-of-21 is tough to beat.The USA went into the activity averaging 29 aids and also again applied a ball-sharing facility by assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead up to as reduced as 13 in the 4th quarter, along with 19 points. The video game finished along with a little bit of advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a technical filthy for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate seconds.