The recovery of the thermosphere after a strong geomagnetic storm on 12 May 2021 is investigated using lower and middle thermospheric temperature (Tdisk), ratio of atomic oxygen and molecular nitrogen column densities (O/N2), cooling due to Nitric Oxide (NO), and model simulations. The peak influence of the geomagnetic storm lasted about five hours and generated latitudinal gradients in Tdisk and O/N2. Following the storm, the latitudinal gradient in temperature recovered faster compared to that of O/N2. Measured NO-cooling rate and simulated NO-densities are enhanced on the storm day compared to a quiet-day, consistent with a rapid recovery in temperatures. Based on this, we conclude that the faster recovery of the Tdisk latitudinal gradient is driven by the combined effect of NO cooling and strong thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the slower recovery of the O/N2 latitudinal gradients can be attributed to the lack of poleward advection after the storm.