Stern was expected to take part in the negotiations via conference call from home.
Federal mediator George Cohen said three days of discussions have been "direct and constructive."
The first two weeks of the season have been scrapped, and Stern has said it will be difficult to play the canceled games later because arenas are filling the dates with other events.
The city of Memphis is exploring the possibility of suing the NBA over the lockout. Officials say the cancellation of the NBA season's first two weeks is costing the city money that pays for the bonds used to build the FedEx Forum.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
