My first reaction was that this makes sense only if they also deny certiorari altogether.

Now it seems to me that there is no rule that says the trial has to wait for the Supreme Court's ruling.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24237415-supreme-court-order-denying-smiths-request-to-expedite-case

In other words, this can still cause a delay but the Supreme Court would have to (1) take cert after the appellate court rules and (2) stay the trial while they decide.