Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma returned to the lineup for Sunday night's matchup against the Nuggets after missing five games due to a sprained ankle. Following the 128-104 loss, the former Utah standout noted that he felt like himself again.

Though his team was defeated, Kuzma racked up 16 points, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal in his return game. He went 7-of-15 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc. Certainly a good sign for Kuz:

“Tonight, I felt like me,” Kuzma said, via the Los Angeles Times.

Kuzma injured his ankle over the summer while practicing with Team USA. The ailment ended his stint at the FIBA World Cup, as he returned home to play it safe and focus on recovery. His season debut with the Lakers didn't come until Nov. 1. Kuzma also dealt with an eye injury after taking a blow to the face later that month. As a result, he was forced to wear protective eyewear.

Kuzma's numbers with the Lakers are down a bit this season, as he's playing a different sort of role. Last season, Los Angeles needed him to score a fair amount. This season, it's LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge on offense. Still, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel says Kuzma is going to be a “huge factor” as this campaign plays on:

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“He’s not comfortable right now, but it’s impossible for him to be comfortable,” Vogel said Sunday's loss to the Nuggets, via the Los Angeles Times. “He’s a young player with a whole new cast of teammates and a new coaching staff, a new system. So with younger guys, you know, it takes a little time sometimes, but he’s gonna be a huge, huge factor for us this year.”

Kuzma and the Lakers will look to rebound from a three-game losing streak on Christmas, when they'll take on Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with ABC having live broadcast coverage.