George: The 'ship hasn't sunk' after Sixers' 1-7 start

Sixers All-Star Paul George is staying optimistic despite the team's dreadful 1-7 start to the 2024-25 campaign.

"You just (have to) remain positive," George said after Philadelphia's 116-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The nine-time All-Star had nine points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field in just his third game with the team.

"We have one of the best big men in the game coming back to join us soon," George continued. "Tyrese (Maxey) will get healthy, and then we'll finally be a complete team that can start to build and figure (out) who we really are at that point."

He added: "(The) ship hasn't sunk. ... We're still showing up trying to get prepared to win games with just a little more focus, a little more attention to detail and just continue to grow with confidence."

The Sixers have been battered by injuries - and off-court drama - this season.

George joined Philly in the summer, inking a four-year, $212-million deal with the club. He was unable to play in the opening five games of the campaign after suffering a hyperextended knee in preseason action.

Former MVP Joel Embiid has yet to play this campaign as he continues to rehab his left knee. Philadelphia was fined $100,000 for public statements by team officials that were "inconsistent" with Embiid's health status.

The 30-year-old Embiid was also given a three-game suspension for shoving a Philadelphia columnist. He is reportedly targeting the Sixers' first NBA Cup game on Nov. 12 against the New York Knicks for his season debut.

Meanwhile, Maxey - who also signed a massive deal with Philadelphia during the offseason - will be out approximately two weeks after an MRI confirmed a right hamstring strain Thursday. The Sixers have only had two of their three All-Stars available for two contests through the first eight games of the year.

"It's hard to be super excited and happy," Sixers rookie Jared McCain told Pompey. "But for this group, we have a lot of vets, and they've all been here, done that. ... We're going to continue to work, and we're going to get over this hump."

Philadelphia is currently on a five-game losing streak and is the only team in the NBA with less than two wins. The Sixers host the 4-5 Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.