.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer since 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting combination for the Team USA women, to the point where there is a case developing that they could discuss the Olympics Many Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand new duo surfacing, though not a shocking one, that's verified to be a large boost as the Americans work toward one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also played essential functions in Staff United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph as well as sets up a semifinal match against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful do with double-digit points for the second upright game, shooting 60% from the area in the USA' gain Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young in to the beginning lineup in place of expert Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff known for playing higher stress full-court protection that challenges setting against guards.It was actually a benefit after Young racked up 19 factors along with four swipes off the bench in the ultimate swimming pool play video game against Germany. She answered along with one more superb performance, playing with power at both ends alongside yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 factors and also helped lug the united state offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a bit of a lethargic beginning through their standards.Nigeria lagged by simply 4 aspects midway through the 2nd one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, who was actually the 12th as well as final player to go into the game for the Americans. Plum immediately modified the game along with her death and rate on the annoying point, dishing out three easy supports as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with merely six aspects yet her six-minute change to end up the 1st half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the bring about 19 at half. The U.S. at that point started the second one-half on a 15-0 run and also the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered into the activity averaging a matching 20.3 scores per activity, played their label of seasoned tormenter sphere. Wilson invested 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds and pair of blocks. Stewart possessed 13 factors on 5-of-7 capturing along with five rebounds as well as 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to score 11 ideas on 4-of-5 capturing. Those three indoor scorers mixing for 16-of-21 is actually difficult to beat.The united state entered into the video game averaging 29 supports as well as once again placed on a ball-sharing facility through setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead to as reduced as 13 in the fourth quarter, along with 19 scores. The game ended along with a little advantage when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a technological repulsive for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final few seconds.