Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to pass 29,000 points as he led the Phoenix Suns to a 114-102 home win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The 14-time All Star, who is in his 17th season, scored 31 points to take his career tally to 29,010.
James, the all-time leading scorer with 40,543 points, is the only other current player to have reached 29,000.
Reigning NBA champions the Boston Celtics mounted a late charge to triumph 124-118 at the winless Detroit Pistons.
The Celtics came from 112-106 down with just over five minutes left, with Jayson Tatum scoring 37 points and Jaylen Brown 24.
