The order does not, however, prevent the possibility that the justices could announce by the end of the term that they will take up one of the pending cases for next term
That's really the key sentence. The term ends at the end of June, so if the Supreme Court announces by then that it is taking the case for the fall term, we still get our decision in a relatively timely manner. But if the Court doesn't take the case, then we're screwed.
So...reaction to this story either way is a bit premature.