Reactivity of group 13 elements with nitrogen
In the case of boron, a reaction with nitrogen does occur under some eye-popping conditions:

Combustion of boron powder in nitrogen plasma at 5500 °C yields ultrafine boron nitride used for lubricants and toners.[1]

The characteristic molecular thermal energy $kT$ at this temperature is roughly half an electron volt, which is enough to at least partially break a significant fraction of the nitrogen-nitrogen bonds.  The boron is also vaporized at this temperature, and both of these factors facilitate the reaction.  Vaporizing the boron also favors forming the fine particles which are desired for the lubricant and toner applications noted above.
Most boron nitride, not requiring the ultrafine particles, is synthesized by metathesis reactions under more typical industrial conditions, which are also given in the WP article noted above.  These commonly involve boron oxide, which both becomes fluid at much lower temperatures than the element and can act as an acid towards basic nitrogen sources such as ammonia.
Cited Reference
1.
Paine, Robert T.; Narula, Chaitanya K. (1990). &quot;Synthetic Routes to Boron Nitride&quot;. Chemical Reviews. 90: 73–91.