NEW YORK - Staff members from the NBA and players' association have met, and top negotiators from both sides will talk Thursday.

A small group from each side took part over a few hours Wednesday. On Thursday, Commissioner David Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and other top negotiators from the league will meet with executive director Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher of the Lakers, who was flying overnight to New York, and others from the union.

Players and owners are still clashing over the salary cap structure as the lockout that began July 1 reaches an important stage. Training camps expected to open Oct. 3 would likely be postponed without a deal this week.