TORONTO — The 76ers’ sample size only includes two games, but life without Joel Embiid and Paul George has been tough so far.

While the star players of the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors were scoring goals at will against them, Tyrese Maxey did not play at an All-Star level. And the Sixers sometimes seem like a team without answers.

The Sixers shot a combined 40.2% (including 17 of 60 3-pointers) in two losses against the Bucks and Raptors. Meanwhile, these two teams combined to shoot 50.0%. On Friday, Toronto outrebounded the Sixers 54-28.

The Raptors ran and ran in circles around the Sixers while playing without RJ Barret (right AC joint sprain), Bruce Brown (right knee arthroscopic surgery), Kelly Olynyk (back sprain), Immanuel Quickly (right pelvis bruise) and Ja’ Kobe Walter . (right AC joint sprain) due to injuries.

So Friday’s defeat was an unexpected and embarrassing loss.

“Yeah, it’s only our second game, so we’ve got to keep at it,” Andre Drummond said. Lost to Toronto 115-107 at Scotiabank Arena on Friday. “Stay true to our principles. Don’t let these two games throw us off course.

“Still the same mission. Still the same driver. We need to do this a little better.”

” READ MORE: Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey lacks rhythm, defense struggles in defeat

Things don’t seem to get any easier for the Sixers, who will head to Indianapolis to play against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Arena on Sunday at 15:30.

The Pacers will be eager to bounce back from Friday’s 123-98 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“I think our defense isn’t bad, man,” Tyrese Maxey said. “Sometimes our offense leads to some fast breaks, some quick shots, some bad shots and then some turnovers, which leads to their easy shots.”

Maxey pointed out that the Raptors turned the ball over 27 times. He also contributed to the Sixers defense. Drummond (four), Kyle Lowry (three) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (two) combined for nine of Philly’s 11 steals on the night.

“So the defense isn’t bad,” Maxey said. “Offensively (shooting), honestly, I have to play better. We need to run our business outside of timeouts.

“But it all starts with me. I have to play better. If I play better, we play better too.”

Maxey finished the game with 24 points on 6-for-23 shooting; This included shooting 2/12 from three-point range. The fifth-year guard also had four assists, one steal, one turnover and two rebounds in a game-high 40 minutes, 54 seconds.

He averaged 24.5 points with 27.7% shooting in two games. He also made just 4 of 21 three-pointers.

The last Most Improved Player said after Wednesday’s loss that he wasn’t pushing to make up for the absences of Embiid (left knee injury management) and George (left hamstring bruise). So what’s the problem?

“I just need to refocus and take some shots, man,” he said. “Honestly, I look pretty good. Like some photos I will take every day. But like the turnstiles, my touch seems a little off right now. No problem. I will work on it.

“And I think one thing people know about me is that I’m a pretty confident guy. And I never lose confidence. So as long as (coach Nick) Nurse continues to believe in me and my teammates continue to believe in me, I’ll continue to be aggressive.”

” READ MORE: The Sixers continue to struggle without their stars in their 115-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Sixers, who face the Pacers, will be off until their game against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Lowry said watching movies and playing more will allow them to get rid of this fear. He said the team needed to execute its game plan better and improve its communication.

“But there are two games left,” Lowry said. “I know we are expected to do something. But this is a marathon. We’re missing two better players and we’ve pretty much got a brand new team, guys coming in and trying to figure it out.

“And I liked the way we fought tonight.”