Kawhi Leonard returned to the LA Clippers lineup on Thursday in a victory over the Detroit Pistons. Leonard started in his first action since October 23, which ended being a 12-game absence.

In 25 minutes, Leonard scored six points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. The Clippers star was a game-best +26 in a five-point LA victory.

Following the game, Leonard said it's going to take a while before he's back to himself on the court.

"It’s going to be a long journey," Leonard said. "They say recovery isn’t just one year. Everybody thinks that. But it’s a two-year process."

In Leonard's other two appearances this season, he came off the Clippers bench. Head coach Ty Lue said that they were going to monitor Leonard's minutes, as opposed to him having a set restriction. Lue echoed his star's sentiments that it's going to take some time for Leonard to get back to himself again.

“It’ll take Kawhi a little time to get back to the Kawhi we know," Lue said. "As great a player he is, he has to understand there are going to be some ups and downs.”