.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer because 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of two booksPARIS-- The combination of A'ja Wilson and also Breanna Stewart has proven to be a devasting mixture for the Group United States females, relevant where there is an instance establishing that they could possibly discuss the Olympics Many Belongings Gamer Award.But there is actually a new duo emerging, though certainly not a shocking one, that's confirmed to be a major increase as the Americans pursue an additional gold medal.Las Vegas Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have boosted to be difference-makers in France and played essential tasks in Group USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the group's 59th successive Olympic victory as well as puts together a semifinal match against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit aspects for the 2nd upright activity, shooting 60% coming from the area 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 group recognized for participating in higher stress full-court defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a benefit after Youthful racked up 19 aspects with four steals off the seat in the final pool play game versus Germany. She answered with another exceptional functionality, enjoying with power at both ends together with one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 aspects and helped hold the U.S. offense early in the video game as the Americans got off to a little a sluggish begin by their standards.Nigeria lagged by only four aspects midway through the second quarter. That is actually when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and also last player to go into the ready the Americans. Plum quickly transformed the game along with her death as well as velocity on the outrageous point, giving out 3 fast helps and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only 6 aspects however her six-minute switch to finish the first one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the result in 19 at fifty percent. The united state at that point started the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and the stress was provided for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson and also Stewart, that entered into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 points per video game, played their brand name of professional oppressor ball. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 firing with 11 rebounds and also two blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing along with 5 rebounds and also 3 assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to credit rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 firing. Those 3 interior markers mixing for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The U.S. entered into the game balancing 29 helps and once again put on a ball-sharing medical clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as low as thirteen in the fourth quarter, along with 19 scores. The video game finished with a little upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper got a specialized foul for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the final seconds.