CELTICS STAY ATOP EAST, BEAT KNICKS 110-94

Isaiah Thomas had never been part of a 50-game winner, so one goal has been realized.

The Boston Celtics have much bigger things ahead of them — starting with a showdown against the defending NBA champions.

Thomas scored 19 points in just 24 minutes and the visiting Celtics remained atop the Eastern Conference, beating the New York Knicks 110-94 on Sunday.

Jaylen Brown added 16 points for the Celtics, who will be no worse than tied with Cleveland for the best record in the East when they host the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Boston is off until then, while the Cavs were set to play two games in between.

Boston secured its first 50-win season since going 56-26 in 2010-11 and did it easily, shooting 55.6 percent and getting 14 points apiece from Marcus Smart and Al Horford.

Courtney Lee scored 16 points and Kristaps Porzingis had 14 for the Knicks, who announced during the game that Derrick Rose will have season-ending surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. They also played without Carmelo Anthony (sore lower back).