.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author given that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting mix for the Group U.S.A. ladies, to the point where there is actually a situation developing that they can share the Olympics Most Belongings Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo emerging, though certainly not an unusual one, that is actually verified to become a significant improvement as the Americans pursue one more gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum as well as Jackie Youthful have improved to become difference-makers in France and also participated in essential duties in Crew USA's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic victory as well as puts together a semifinal matchup against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit factors for the 2nd straight activity, shooting 60% 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 pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a staff recognized for participating in higher stress full-court protection that challenges setting against guards.It was a reward after Youthful racked up 19 aspects along with 4 swipes off the bench in the last pool play video game versus Germany. She reacted along with another outstanding performance, enjoying with electricity at each points along with another Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points as well as assisted lug the USA outburst early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a lethargic beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged through merely 4 factors midway with the 2nd quarter. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, that was the 12th and ultimate gamer to go into the ready the Americans. Plum instantly changed the video game along with her passing and speed on the repulsive end, dispensing three simple assists as well as toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with only six factors yet her six-minute switch to finish the very first half resulted in a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at fifty percent. The USA then began the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and the anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and Stewart, who entered the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores per activity, played their brand of skilled oppressor sphere. Wilson put in 20 factors on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and also 2 blocks. Stewart had 13 points on 5-of-7 firing with 5 rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner went over the seat to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those three interior markers mixing for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The U.S. went into the video game averaging 29 helps as well as once again put on a ball-sharing facility through assembling 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the lead down to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The video game ended with a little upper hand when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a technological filthy for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate seconds.