.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer because 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for 7 years.Author of 2 booksPARIS-- The combo of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has actually proven to become a devasting combo for the Staff USA ladies, relevant where there is actually a situation building that they might discuss the Olympics Most Valuable Gamer Award.But there's a new duo emerging, though not an unexpected one, that's shown to be a big improvement as the Americans work toward yet another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Young have actually improved to be difference-makers in France as well as participated in vital functions in Staff United States's 88-74 triumph over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It marked the group's 59th successive Olympic success and also establishes a semifinal competition against Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful finished with double-digit aspects for the second straight activity, shooting 60% from the area in the USA' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve relocated Youthful into the starting lineup instead of expert Diana Taurasi versus Nigeria, a crew known for participating in high stress full-court defense that tests setting against guards.It was a benefit after Youthful scored 19 aspects with four swipes off the seat in the last pool play activity against Germany. She answered along with an additional superb performance, enjoying with electricity at each points along with yet another Aces colleague, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 aspects and also aided hold the U.S. offense early in the game as the Americans left to a little a slow start through their standards.Nigeria was behind through simply four factors midway via the 2nd fourth. That is actually when Reeve visited Plum, who was the 12th and final player to get in the ready the Americans. Plum instantly transformed the video game with her death and speed on the objectionable point, dishing out 3 easy aids and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum completed with simply six aspects but her six-minute change to finish the 1st one-half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the lead to 19 at half. The united state then began the second half on a 15-0 operate as well as the anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, who entered into the activity balancing a matching 20.3 points every activity, played their brand of proficient bully round. Wilson placed in 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as 2 blocks. Stewart had 13 factors on 5-of-7 firing with five rebounds and three assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to rating 11 ideas on 4-of-5 shooting. Those three internal markers combining for 16-of-21 is difficult to beat.The united state entered the activity balancing 29 helps and once again put on a ball-sharing facility by setting up 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the top up to as reduced as thirteen in the 4th one-fourth, with 19 scores. The video game ended with a little advantage when the united state's Kahleah Copper acquired a technological nasty for throwing the reception at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last seconds.