.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Elder WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA article writer considering that 2010.Dealt With Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Author of two booksPARIS-- The blend of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has verified to be a devasting blend for the Crew United States females, relevant where there is actually a situation building that they could possibly share the Olympics The majority of Prized Possession Gamer Award.But there is actually a brand-new duo surfacing, though certainly not an astonishing one, that is actually verified to become a huge increase as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Vegas Aces teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young have stepped up to be difference-makers in France and played key functions in Team United States's 88-74 success over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It signified the staff's 59th consecutive Olympic triumph and puts together a semifinal matchup versus Australia, winners over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young finished with double-digit aspects for the second straight activity, shooting 60% from the field in the United States' sway Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Young into the starting lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team understood for playing high stress full-court protection that challenges setting against guards.It was a reward after Young scored 19 factors along with 4 steals off the seat in the final swimming pool play activity against Germany. She answered along with yet another superb performance, enjoying with energy at both points alongside another Aces teammate, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young racked up 15 points as well as helped hold the USA offense early in the video game as the Americans left to a little a slow-moving begin by their standards.Nigeria was behind by simply 4 factors midway via the 2nd quarter. That is actually when Reeve headed to Plum, that was actually the 12th and final player to enter the game for the Americans. Plum instantly modified the activity along with her death and speed on the repulsive end, dishing out three quick assists and also toenailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with only 6 factors however her six-minute change to end up the very first half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to drive the trigger 19 at one-half. The U.S. after that began the second half on a 15-0 operate as well as the stress and anxiety was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that came into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 points per activity, played their brand name of seasoned oppressor ball. Wilson invested 20 factors on 9-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds and two blocks. Stewart had thirteen factors on 5-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and also three assists.Brittney Griner went over the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 indoor markers integrating for 16-of-21 is challenging to beat.The united state entered into the activity balancing 29 supports and also once more placed on a ball-sharing clinic by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which reduced the lead down to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, with 19 scores. The video game finished along with a little bit of edge when the USA's Kahleah Copper obtained a specialized nasty for throwing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she racked up in the ultimate seconds.