TORONTO — The 76ersThe sample size includes only two games. But life without Joel Embiid and Paul George it’s been a struggle so far.

The star players of the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors scored at will against them, while Tyrese Maxey he didn’t play at his All-Star level. And the Sixers look, at times, like a team without answers.

The Sixers shot a combined 40.2 percent — including 17 of 60 three-pointers — in two losses against the Bucks and Raptors. Meanwhile, the two teams combined to shoot 50.0% from the field. And on Friday, Toronto beat the Sixers, 54-28.

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

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

“Yeah, it’s only our second game, so we just have to stick with it,” Andre Drummond said further. Friday’s 115-107 loss to Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. “Stay with our principles. Don’t let these two games throw us off course.

“It’s still the same mission. It’s still the same unit. We just have to do it a little bit better.”

” READ MORE: Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey lacks pace, defense struggles in loss

Things aren’t about to get any easier for the Sixers, who will travel to Indianapolis for Sunday’s 3:30pm game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Arena.

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 horrible, man,” Tyrese Maxey said. “Sometimes our offense leads to some fast breaks, some fast shots, some bad shots, then some turnovers, leading to their easy buckets.”

Maxey pointed out that the Raptors turned the ball over 27 times. He contributed that 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 horrible,” Maxey said. “Offensively, (shooting), honestly, I have to play better. We need to run our stuff outside of timeouts.

“But it starts with me. I have to play better. And if I play better, then we’ll play better.”

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

Through two games, he is averaging 24.5 points on 27.7% shooting. He also made just 4 of 21 three-pointers.

The reigning MVP said he’s not pressing to make up for the absences of Embiid (left knee injury management) and George (left knee bruise) following Wednesday’s setback. So what is the problem in the two games?

“I just need to get my bearings and take some shots, man,” he said. “I look good, honestly. Like some photos I’ll take every day. But just like layups, my touch feels a little off now. It’s okay. I will work on it.

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

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

After facing the Pacers, the Sixers are off until Wednesday at home against the Detroit Pistons.

Lowry said watching film and playing harder will allow them to get out of their funk. He said the team needs to execute its game plan better and improve its communication.

“But it’s two games,” Lowry said. “I know we have to do things. But it’s a marathon. We’re missing two of our better players and we’ve got almost a brand new team that we’ve got guys trying to figure out.

“And I just love the way we fought tonight.”