NEW YORK — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday the league and players have made “tremendous progress” toward an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, saying he hoped a deal would be completed soon.

Silver said the process was far different than the contentious negotiations of 2011, which led to a lockout and a 2011-12 season that was shorted to 66 games.

This time, the sides have been meeting for a few months and seem eager to make a deal long before Dec. 15, when either side can notify the other of its intention to opt out of the 10-year pact.

“We are not done, done as we say as bargainers in terms of ultimately having a completed collective bargaining agreement, but we’re on our way towards getting an extension done of this collective bargaining agreement,” Silver said. “I’m very pleased to report that.”

The sides met Wednesday, the day before owners began their two-day preseason meetings and received an encouraging report on the status of the talks.

76ERS: Forward Nerlens Noel will need surgery on his left knee, the latest in a long line of injuries for a team that is trying to turn things around.

The Sixers said Friday that Noel elected to have surgery after consulting with several specialists. Noel missed his entire rookie season while recovering from surgery on his left knee, but this latest procedure is arthroscopic and considered to be minor. The Sixers have not announced a timetable for his return.

SPURS: Guard Danny Green will miss three weeks after straining his left quadriceps.

Green initially suffered the injury during training camp and aggravated it Tuesday during an intra-squad scrimmage.

Green averaged 3.5 points in four preseason games while shooting 20 percent from 3-point range. The eight-year veteran averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds last season.

NETS: Brooklyn waived guard Yogi Ferrell to reduce their roster to the limit of 15.

The former Indiana University guard averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 assists in three preseason games. Coach Kenny Atkinson raved about the 6-foot Ferrell’s energy after one contest, but the Nets already have Jeremy Lin, Greivis Vasquez and others who can play point guard.

KNICKS: New York waived forwards Lou Amundson and Cleanthony Early and injured guard Chasson Randle, trimming its roster to 15 players.

OFFICALS IN the NBA’s Replay Center will make the ruling this season on all reviews except player altercations and flagrant fouls.

Referees on the court will still make the determinations after watching replay of those situations. The expanded role for the Replay Center was unanimously approved by NBA owners Friday.

With replays involving plays such as clear-path fouls and shot-clock violations now being handled by referees staffing the Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, the league hopes to shorten reviews and speed up games.

The average review time last season was 31.9 seconds.

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