.Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior WriterAug 7, 2024, 05:28 PM ETCloseESPN.com NBA author because 2010.Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years.Writer of pair of booksPARIS-- The mixture of A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart has actually confirmed to be a devasting blend for the Team U.S.A. ladies, to the point where there is actually a situation establishing that they could possibly share the Olympics Most Valuable Player Award.But there's a brand-new duo emerging, though not a shocking one, that's confirmed to be a big improvement as the Americans work toward another gold medal.Las Las vega Aces allies Kelsey Plum and also Jackie Youthful have actually stepped up to become difference-makers in France as well as participated in crucial jobs in Group USA's 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarterfinals.It indicated the group's 59th consecutive Olympic success as well as sets up a semifinal competition against Australia, champions over Serbia Wednesday, on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.Jackie Young do with double-digit points for the second straight activity, firing 60% from the industry in the United States' win over Nigeria. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockCoach Cheryl Reeve moved Youthful into the starting lineup instead of veteran Diana Taurasi against Nigeria, a team understood for playing high pressure full-court defense that tests opposing guards.It was actually a benefit after Young racked up 19 aspects with four takes off the seat in the ultimate swimming pool play activity versus Germany. She answered along with an additional excellent functionality, having fun with power at each points alongside one more Aces ally, Chelsea Gray, in the backcourt.Young scored 15 points and also assisted carry the USA outburst early in the activity as the Americans got off to a little a slow-moving start by their standards.Nigeria lagged through just 4 factors midway by means of the 2nd one-fourth. That's when Reeve went to Plum, who was actually the 12th and final player to enter into the game for the Americans. Plum promptly changed the activity along with her passing and also velocity on the objectionable end, serving up 3 quick supports and also nailing a 3-pointer. Plum finished with merely 6 factors but her six-minute switch to end up the 1st half caused a plus-11 on the scoreboard to press the bring about 19 at half. The united state at that point began the second one-half on a 15-0 operate and also the tension was done for the evening.Editor's Picks1 RelatedWilson as well as Stewart, that entered into the video game balancing a matching 20.3 scores every video game, played their brand of competent oppressor ball. Wilson put in 20 factors on 9-of-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds as well as pair of blocks. Stewart had thirteen points on 5-of-7 firing with 5 rebounds as well as 3 assists.Brittney Griner came off the bench to credit rating 11 points on 4-of-5 capturing. Those 3 internal markers integrating for 16-of-21 is actually hard to beat.The USA got into the game balancing 29 assists and again put on a ball-sharing center by putting together 31 more.Promise Amukamara led Nigeria, which cut the top down to as low as thirteen in the fourth one-fourth, along with 19 points. The game ended along with a little edge when the U.S.'s Kahleah Copper obtained a technical nasty for tossing the ball at Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu after she scored in the final seconds.