.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer since 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to become a devasting combination for the Staff United States women, to the point where there is actually a scenario creating that they might share the Olympics A lot of Valuable Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though not an unusual one, that is actually shown to become a big boost as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum and Jackie Youthful have stepped up to become difference-makers in France and also played vital roles in Group United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the group's 59th consecutive Olympic victory and sets up a semifinal competition against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit factors for the 2nd upright game, shooting 60% coming from the field in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful right into the starting lineup in place of professional Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff understood for playing higher stress full-court self defense that challenges setting against guards.It was actually a perks after Youthful racked up 19 aspects with 4 swipes off the seat in the final pool play game versus Germany. She responded along with an additional exceptional efficiency, having fun with power at each points together with an additional Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points and assisted hold the USA outburst early in the activity as the Americans left to a little a slow-moving start by their standards.Nigeria lagged by only four factors midway via the 2nd one-fourth. That's when Reeve mosted likely to Plum, that was the 12th and also last gamer to enter into the ready the Americans. Plum right away modified the activity with her passing and also speed on the offending point, serving up three quick helps and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only 6 aspects however her six-minute shift to finish the initial fifty percent led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the cause 19 at fifty percent. The USA at that point started the second one-half on a 15-0 operate as well as the stress and anxiety was created for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, who entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 points every video game, played their label of skillful tormenter ball. Wilson placed in 20 aspects on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds as well as pair of blocks. Stewart possessed 13 points on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds as well as three assists.Brittney Griner came off the seat to rating 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 internal markers combining for 16-of-21 is actually difficult to beat.The U.S. got into the activity balancing 29 assists and once more placed on a ball-sharing clinic through putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 scores. The game finished along with a little bit of advantage when the USA's Kahleah Copper received a technical foul for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the ultimate secs.