TX did not file a petition for a writ of certiorari, in which case you would be correct - docketing it doesn’t mean that the petition would be granted. Been there.
This is what TX filed: MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER OR, ALTERNATIVELY, FOR STAY AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAY
But his point is correct. And it applies to everything at the Supreme Court. Everything, including applications and motions, gets a docket number and ends up on the Court’s docket as part of the process. You can search the Court’s electronic docket and see tons of requests for stays or injunctive relief and so forth that were docketed before being denied.
The justices have not done a thing about the Texas case yet that indicates anything. No reason for anyone to be happy yet.
So what does that mean?