ATLANTA — It was reminiscent of those games in a driveway when an older brother bullied his younger brother, when he’d let him dribble around a bit before swatting his shot or stealing the ball away effortlessly.

That’s what the Knicks defense looked like against the Hawks as they bludgeoned them 140-89 in Game 6 on Thursday night to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

They suffocated the Hawks from the opening tip, recording seven steals and three blocks — and forcing eight turnovers — in the first quarter.

Ariel Hukporti (left) blocks Jalen Johnson’s shot during the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 140-89 Game 6 series-clinching win over the Hawks on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

They held the Hawks to just 6-for-16 shooting from the field and 1-for-6 shooting from 3-point range in that first quarter.…