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

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

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

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

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

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

“It’s always the same mission. It’s still the same drive. We just need to do it a little better.

» LEARN MORE: Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey lacks rhythm, defense struggles to lose

Things aren’t about to get any easier for the Sixers, who will travel to Indianapolis for Sunday’s 3:30 p.m. 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 quick blocks, quick shots, bad shots, then turnovers, leading to easy baskets.”

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

“So the defense isn’t horrible,” Maxey said. “The offense, (shooting), honestly, I need to play better. We need to execute our tasks outside of timeouts.

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

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

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

The reigning Most Improved Player said he wasn’t pushing to make up for the absence of Embiid (dealing with left knee injury) and George (bruised left knee bone) after the loss from Wednesday. So what’s the problem?

“I just gotta refocus and get some shots, man,” he said. “Honestly, I look good. Like certain photos I will take every day. But like in layups, my touch seems a little off right now. It’s good. I’m going to work on it.

“And one thing about me, I think people know, 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’m going to continue to be aggressive.

» LEARN MORE: The Sixers continue to struggle without their stars in 115-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors

After facing the Pacers, the Sixers are off until Wednesday’s home game against the Detroit Pistons.

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

“But it’s been two games,” Lowry said. “I know we’re supposed to do things. But it’s a marathon. We’re missing two of our best players, and we pretty much have a whole new team with guys coming in trying to figure it out.

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