.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA writer due to the fact that 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The mix of A'ja Wilson as well as Breanna Stewart has shown to become a devasting mix for the Team USA ladies, relevant where there is actually an instance cultivating that they might discuss the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Player Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo developing, though not an unusual one, that's shown to be a huge boost as the Americans pursue another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually improved to become difference-makers in France and participated in crucial parts in Group USA's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the crew's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph as well as sets up a semifinal competition versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Youthful completed with double-digit factors for the 2nd upright video game, firing 60% coming from the industry in the United States' get Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young right into the beginning lineup instead of pro Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a crew recognized for participating in high tension full-court self defense that challenges opposing guards.It was a reward after Youthful racked up 19 aspects with 4 swipes off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play activity against Germany. She answered along with an additional excellent functionality, playing with power at both ends alongside one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 factors as well as aided bring the united state outburst early in the game as the Americans got off to a little bit of a sluggish beginning by their standards.Nigeria lagged through just four factors midway with the second one-fourth. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th and also ultimate gamer to go into the ready the Americans. Plum quickly modified the activity along with her passing as well as speed on the objectionable end, dishing out three quick aids and nailing a 3-pointer. Plum do with merely 6 points but her six-minute change to complete the initial one-half led to a plus-11 on the scoreboard to push the cause 19 at fifty percent. The USA then started the 2nd one-half on a 15-0 run and also the stress was actually done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that entered into the video game averaging a matching 20.3 scores per video game, played their company of competent bully ball. Wilson put in twenty points on 9-of-11 firing along with 11 rebounds as well as pair of blocks. Stewart possessed thirteen aspects on 5-of-7 capturing with 5 rebounds as well as 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-5 firing. Those three interior scorers combining for 16-of-21 is hard to beat.The USA went into the video game balancing 29 assists and again placed on a ball-sharing medical clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as reduced as thirteen in the fourth quarter, along with 19 points. The video game ended with a little bit of upper hand when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper received a specialized repulsive for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the last secs.